Demorest officials sworn in at Jan. 2 special called meeting; council adjourns

Demorest — The Demorest City Council met in a special called session Jan. 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center to administer oaths of office to municipal officials and then adjourned.

City Clerk Megan Chastain called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m., noting the meeting was held "as required by city ordinance." Councilman Donnie Bennett opened the session with an invocation.

Mrs. Chastain administered the oath of office to Jerry Harkness, who assumed the role of mayor. Afterward, Mayor Jerry Harkness administered the oath to Councilmen Shawn Allen and Andrew Ferguson, completing their formal induction to the council.

Following the oath ceremonies, Councilman Andrew Ferguson moved to adjourn; Councilman Shawn Allen seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

The meeting record lists attendees including Mayor Jerry Harkness; Councilmen Shawn Allen, Andrew Ferguson, Donnie Bennett and Jimmy Davis; and City Clerk Megan Chastain. No other business was conducted during the special called meeting.