Bexley City Council Elects Michael C. Price as Mayor to Complete Kessler's Term

Bexley City Council announced Wednesday that it elected Michael C. Price to serve as mayor to finish out the term of former Mayor Ben Kessler, according to municipal reporting from NBC4 (WCMH). The vote fills the community's executive vacancy following a formal application process conducted by council members.

As reported by 10TV (WBNS), the seat was left open after Kessler announced his resignation earlier this month to take a position with the Columbus Partnership. Kessler, who led Bexley for more than 14 years after taking office in 2012, stepped down to serve as executive director of the Columbus Partnership's Regional Housing Coalition, shifting to focus on regional housing affordability and development strategies across central Ohio.

The transition follows the municipal charter process established for filling mid-term executive vacancies in the Franklin County enclave. Under Bexley's charter rules, City Council holds the responsibility to elect a qualified resident by majority vote to complete an unexpired mayoral term, avoiding an unscheduled special municipal election. Price will serve out the remainder of Kessler’s current four-year term, ensuring operational continuity for the suburban city of approximately 13,000 residents.

Price brings extensive institutional knowledge to the executive post after serving as Bexley’s longtime recreation and parks director. In that municipal department head role, Price managed public park systems, community facilities, recreational programming, and civic events. His appointment places an experienced municipal administrator at the head of city operations as administrative departments prepare their upcoming annual municipal budget and oversee ongoing infrastructure projects.

Kessler's exit closes one of suburban central Ohio's longest modern mayoral administrations, which began with his initial election in 2012 following four years on Bexley City Council. Price assumes executive authority immediately, directing municipal staff and coordinating with council members from Bexley City Hall on East Main Street.

Bexley City Council announced Wednesday that it elected Michael C. Price to serve as mayor to finish out the term of former Mayor Ben Kessler, according to municipal reporting from NBC4 (WCMH). The vote fills the community's executive vacancy following a formal application process conducted by council members.

As reported by 10TV (WBNS), the seat was left open after Kessler announced his resignation earlier this month to take a position with the Columbus Partnership. Kessler, who led Bexley for more than 14 years after taking office in 2012, stepped down to serve as executive director of the Columbus Partnership's Regional Housing Coalition, shifting to focus on regional housing affordability and development strategies across central Ohio.

The transition follows the municipal charter process established for filling mid-term executive vacancies in the Franklin County enclave. Under Bexley's charter rules, City Council holds the responsibility to elect a qualified resident by majority vote to complete an unexpired mayoral term, avoiding an unscheduled special municipal election. Price will serve out the remainder of Kessler’s current four-year term, ensuring operational continuity for the suburban city of approximately 13,000 residents.

Price brings extensive institutional knowledge to the executive post after serving as Bexley’s longtime recreation and parks director. In that municipal department head role, Price managed public park systems, community facilities, recreational programming, and civic events. His appointment places an experienced municipal administrator at the head of city operations as administrative departments prepare their upcoming annual municipal budget and oversee ongoing infrastructure projects.

Kessler's exit closes one of suburban central Ohio's longest modern mayoral administrations, which began with his initial election in 2012 following four years on Bexley City Council. Price assumes executive authority immediately, directing municipal staff and coordinating with council members from Bexley City Hall on East Main Street.