Councilman Paul Livingston was elected Tuesday by Richland County Council to serve as its Chair, after an earlier swearing-in ceremony that kicked off the terms of three new members – Allison Terracio, Joe Walker and Chakisse Newton.
Council also elected Councilwoman Dalhi Myers to serve as Vice Chair.
Livingston, District 4, and Myers, District 10, succeed Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson, District 2, and Councilman Bill Malinowski, District 1, as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
Livingston has represented District 4 for more than 25 years. Myers was first elected in 2016 to fill an unexpired seat and then elected again in 2016 to serve a full term.
The new Chair and Vice Chair will serve in the leadership roles for a Council that welcomes three newcomers elected last year. Terracio, District 5, and Walker, District 6, will represent two of Richland County’s more urban districts, while Newton, District 11, will represent residents in the largely rural Lower Richland area.
Council will meet in Charleston later this month for its annual planning retreat to set priorities for the year ahead. Council's next regularly scheduled meeting is 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in Council Chambers, 2020 Hampton St. in Columbia.