Christie Clark was sworn in as mayor of Huntersville on Dec. 2 during the town board’s organizational meeting, where commissioners also elected Jennifer Hunt as mayor pro tem and adopted the town’s 2026 meeting schedule.

The swearing-in ceremony included multiple judges and incoming and returning commissioners. District Court Judge Matt Newman administered the oath to Christie Clark, who repeated the pledge to support ‘‘the constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of North Carolina’’ and to ‘‘faithfully discharge the duties’’ of mayor of Huntersville. Judges later administered the oath to commissioners Jennifer Hunt, Latoya Rivers, Nick Walsh, Edwin Quarles, Scott Cornett and Heather Smallwood.

Why it matters: Organizational meetings set who will lead the board and establish the calendar and procedural footing for the coming term. The board’s choices determine committee assignments and who presides when the mayor is absent.

During the business portion of the meeting the board voted to adopt the session agenda and the consent agenda; both motions were seconded and the chair announced they carried unanimously. The board then approved the election of Commissioner Jennifer Hunt as mayor pro tem after a motion and second; the chair announced that motion carried unanimously. The board also voted to adopt the town board regular meeting schedule for 2026 by motion, second and unanimous voice vote.

Public comment before the formal business included a request for accountability from a long-time resident. Gatewood Campbell, who identified herself as a Huntersville resident since 1999 and a member of a downtown planning steering committee, said the mayor had previously made a comment about her that was released in a foyer and told the board, ‘‘This board owes me an apology.’’ She also urged residents to use the town app and follow town communications. Another resident, Chris Wolak of Vermillion, urged the board to reconsider its meeting calendar because some Mecklenburg County commission meetings fall on the same days, saying, ‘‘any of us residents that might want to attend both meetings would not be able to.’’

Board members offered brief closing remarks. Commissioner Scott Cornett thanked the board and said he looked forward to working with colleagues. Commissioner Cross reviewed achievements during his prior term, citing a across-the-board pay increase for police, a 17% drop in crime, purchase of new fire trucks, funding for a new town hall and saying the town added more than $2,400,000 in annual tax revenue; he also noted a veteran service office is scheduled to open Jan. 5, 2026. Mayor Christie Clark thanked staff and residents, saying the town ‘‘has the best staff.’’

Announcements at the start of the meeting included a reminder that leaf collection runs through Jan. 15 and that Huntersville’s tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in Veterans Park; a Holidays in Huntersville event was scheduled for Dec. 6 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Santa’s workshop running through December. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried.

Actions at a glance: the board adopted the agenda and consent agenda, elected Jennifer Hunt as mayor pro tem, adopted the 2026 meeting schedule and adjourned. No formal votes with named tallies were recorded in the transcript; the chair announced each motion carried unanimously.

What’s next: the board will follow the adopted 2026 calendar and the new mayor and mayor pro tem will preside over future sessions under the terms set at this organizational meeting.