Eric Beiter was nominated and voted in as Williamsport City Council president at council’s reorganizational meeting.

Councilman Vincent Pulizzi was voted in to be council vice president.

Councilman Jonah Milliken was congratulated for his campaign, and he and Beiter took the oath of office administered by Janice Frank, city clerk.

Councilwoman Liz Miele also was reelected, but was not at the reorganization meeting.

The meeting was in Trade and Transit I on the first floor.

Beiter was a 2019 mayoral candidate. He was tied in votes in the November 2025 election for council with Democrat April Line. The candidates drew numbers to determine a winner and Beiter kept the seat.

“Congrats to both and Jonah to congrats to you on a hard-fought campaign and taking the chair,” former Council President Adam Yoder said.

“You’re in for a ride and I mean that in the most positive way,” Yoder said. “It’s a great ride. You’re going to learn a lot and you’re going to grow a lot and I’m excited to see that for you. I mean that truly, so excited to work with you.”

“I’m excited for the opportunity, look forward to working with you guys,” Milliken said.

Yoder said he nominated Beiter for a couple of reasons.

“Over the past two years as vice president I’ve seen the qualities that I think we need as council president sitting in this chair for four years,” Yoder said. “He has got sound judgment,” he said. “He’s got very deep institutional knowledge. “He’s got an unwavering commitment to Williamsport and its best interests, and I don’t know many more people that have as much commitment to the city than Eric does,” Yoder said.

“He is uniquely capable of leading this,” Yoder added. “So, I am confident he will serve with distinction,” Yoder said, adding he hoped that others would support him in joining him in this nomination.

“I am very excited about the opportunity he has over the next year as council president.”

A second motion was made by Councilwoman Bonnie Katz.

“What I first would like to say is thank you to the other members of council for having confidence in me for leading this group over the next year,” Beiter said.

“To have that from the six of you is immensely important to me,” he said. “And I hope that I can continue to grow as a leader leading the six of you and as a better person with your support so thank you all for that.”

Katz thanked Yoder for everything that he’s done saying he did an incredible job.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize or understand the work that is involved with the president of the council and you just did a remarkable job.”

Katz remarked on how Yoder led while going to school, working and being a husband as father.

“I appreciate that Bonnie,” Yoder said. “It’s a grind – that is absolutely the case – but it’s been a good grind as I kind of mentioned to you, Jonah. … That has been a unique part of my journey on city council that I am immensely grateful for.”

Yoder echoed many of the sentiments that Beiter offered, especially how he was grateful for the four years of confidence that his colleagues put him to lead this group.

“I have grown a lot from it,” he said. “Hopefully, I was a good steward of it and did some good things. But excited for our new president.”

Pulizzi, on council for six years, was recognized for taking the lead on the negotiations with the three unions — police, fire and municipal workers.

Pulizzi also has taken on the task of renegotiating pilots or payments in lieu of taxes with various non-profits which are advantageous for the city but also the non-profits.

“We have to have a strong relationship with them so our community can be a vibrant one and a healthy one,” Beiter said.

“I would hope that he would step into the role and continue to do that work and be my right-hand man for this year,” Beiter said before the vote.

“I would like to say thank you very much for the confidence that you all put in me,” Pulizzi said.

“I like to get most of my speaking and do most of my work outside of council,” he said.

He recognized that he does not really speak a lot during council meetings but when he does, he can kind of “hop up on a soapbox every once in a while.”

“I’m very fortunate to be working with all of you,” he said.

“I know we can continue the momentum with everything that we started six years ago,”

he said. “And I’m just really looking forward to getting Williamsport into a position of prosperity and sustainability. There is still a lot of work to be done but I know that we can all get it done. So, thank you very much.”

Yoder, in an invocation, asked for “wisdom and humility in our leadership.” “Guide us to put the “needs of our neighbors first,” “to listen well,” and to “work together with integrity and purpose.”

The invocation continued: “In the year ahead, grant us patience in deliberation, courage in difficult moments and always a clear view of those who we are called to serve,” he said.

“May the work we do here honor the trust placed in us and contribute to the flourishing of Williamsport,” he said.

Council’s first meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday. Members meet at the Trade and Transit Centre II, 100 W. Third St., third floor. The meetings are broadcast by remote and recorded.

Members this year include Republicans Beiter, Pulizzi, Yoder and Katz and Democrats Milliken, Miele and Councilman Jon Mackey.