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McDONALD -- Village council named Martin Puckett as the new council president pro-tem for 2017, and he also will take on the duties of mayor for the first five months of the year.
Puckett, who has served on council five years, will replace Mayor Glenn Holmes in filling the mayor's duties until after the May primary when a new mayor will be elected.
''I look forward to the challenge ahead and am excited to serve,'' he said.
Puckett said he is prepared to address infrastructure issues and water rates for the village, noting he does have ''big shoes to fill'' replacing Holmes.
Holmes, who attended his last council meeting Thursday, has served as mayor of the village for nine years. He was elected state representative for the 63rd District in November and had to step down.
Holmes just finished the first year of his third, four-year term as village mayor. The winner of the May election will fill the remainder of Holmes' unexpired term through December 2019.
Puckett first served on council by filling the seat of the late Peter Sudol before being elected to office. He is to start the fourth year of his current term as councilman in 2017.
Councilman Michael O'Brien said he feels confident Puckett will do a good job serving as president pro-tem and mayor.
Councilman Richard Harvey said there is ''new young blood'' on council and the administration.
Puckett will be sworn in at the organizational meeting 6:30 p.m. today.
Officials also commended Holmes for his service to the village.
Administrator Thomas Domitrovich said the ''village is losing a great man but getting a great state rep.''
''Holmes was like a true friend who worked hard for the village,'' he said.
In other business, council gave final reading for water rate increases, starting in 2017, with customers likely to pay 28 percent more for the service.
The increase will be effective Jan. 1 and reflect water used from September to November. Rates would rise from $3.89 to $5 per 1,000 gallons used for residents and from $5.84 to $7.50 per 1,000 gallons for customers outside the village.
The increase is needed because of water loss caused by water line breaks and flushing to rid water of its discoloration, and because of a rate increase the village will see from Meander Water, which supplies bulk water to the village, officials have said.
In other matters, council:
l Approved a new three-year agreement with Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District for five recycling dropoff bins;
l Gave second reading to a four-year agreement with NextEra Energy Solutions for electrical aggregation services and lower electrical rates for residential and commercial customers.