FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Each year, Fort Wayne City Council votes to establish a new president within the government body. For 2025, 2nd District Councilman Russ Jehl will assume the role. During the first City Council meeting of the new year, councilmembers voted to make Jehl president and At-large Councilman Marty Bender vice president. Jehl received a unanimous 9-0 vote, and Bender earned the nomination with a 6-3 vote after all Democratic councilmembers voted for 5th District Councilman Geoff Paddock. "It is quite an honor to be nominated and elected by my colleagues," Jehl said. "It is a great responsibility. I look forward to serving the community in this fashion." Looking ahead, Jehl said some issues he hopes to tackle in 2025 include the continued management of the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) situation, homelessness, neighborhood infrastructure and possible changes made by state legislature that could have an impact at the city level. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker attended Tuesday's meeting, and she told WANE 15 she looks forward to her continued partnership with City Council. "I think the importance of us coming together helps show the community that we are willing to work together collaboratively," Tucker said. Jehl is taking over for At-large Councilman Tom Freistroffer. Tom Freistroffer also received a plaque from incoming president Jehl to commemorate his excellence as president in the year prior. "We rightly honored councilman Frsitroffer for his service as president last year, he did such a great job," Jehl said. "It is such a thankless position, you get out of it whatever you put into it."