New Year, New Council

Vol. III, No. 219 - Council President Bill Rozell rolls out council committee assignments

One of the most critical responsibilities that the President of City Council has in the City of Troy is to organize the council committees for the two year term. The committees serve as the first step for development of resolutions and ordinances—it’s at the committee level where ideas get tested, refined, and improved before reaching the full council for action.

Council President Bill Rozell has reorganized its committee structure for the 2026-2027 term, marking both continuity and change as the city prepares for significant initiatives in parks development and zoning reform. With Samuel Pierce no longer serving on council being replaced by newcomer Madison Hickman, the reorganization brings new leadership dynamics while maintaining the balanced workload structure that has served Troy well.

The committee system remains the backbone of Troy’s legislative process. These smaller working groups allow council members to dive deep into recommendations from the city staff before bringing their own recommendations to the full council. Unlike the formal council meetings where votes occur, committee meetings are where the real work happens—where questions get asked, alternatives get debated, and consensus begins to form.

Several notable shifts in committee leadership signal new priorities and reflect the council’s changed composition. Kristie Marshall moves from chairing Community Partnerships to lead Buildings & Utilities, while Lynne Snee takes the helm of Community & Economic Development after previously leading Personnel. Jeffrey Whidden now chairs Recreation & Parks, positioning him at the center of upcoming parks planning discussions. Jeffrey Schilling transitions from chairing the Community and Economic Development Committee to chair the Law & Ordinance Committee.

Todd Severt remains Finance Committee chair, providing continuity for what many consider council’s most influential committee. The Finance Committee will continue its critical role reviewing the city’s annual budget—a process that touches every city department and service.

The most significant change is Madison Hickman joining council and immediately taking on substantial committee responsibilities. Hickman chairs the Personnel Committee and serves on Community & Economic Development and Recreation & Parks as well. This distribution gives the new member exposure to major policy areas while contributing fresh perspective to committees handling Troy’s most ambitious upcoming projects.

Every council member serves on exactly three committees—a deliberate structure that distributes expertise and workload evenly across the body. This balance is designed to ensure members develop deep knowledge in each policy area. Bobby Phillips sits on Buildings & Utilities, Safety & Health, and Streets & Sidewalks. Lynne Snee serves on Buildings & Utilities, Community & Economic Development (as chair), and Personnel. William Twiss works on Community & Economic Development, Law & Ordinance, and Safety & Health (as chair).

Todd Severt balances Finance (as chair), Personnel, and Safety & Health. Jeffrey Schilling manages Community Partnerships, Law & Ordinance (as chair), and Streets & Sidewalks. Susan Westfall serves on Community Partnerships (as chair), Finance, and Recreation & Parks. Jeffrey Whidden handles Community Partnerships, Finance, and Recreation & Parks (as chair). Kristie Marshall rounds out the roster with Buildings & Utilities (as chair), Law & Ordinance, and Streets & Sidewalks.

The Recreation & Parks Committee enters 2026 positioned for heightened activity as Troy begins implementing its Comprehensive Master Parks and Recreation Plan. With Whidden as chair and both Hickman and Westfall as members, this committee will shape how the city’s parks vision becomes reality through capital improvements, programming decisions, and resource allocation.

The Community & Economic Development Committee faces equally significant work as Troy develops its Unified Development Code throughout 2026. Modern zoning codes integrate land use regulations, design standards, and development procedures into coherent frameworks. Chair Snee, working with Hickman and Twiss, will guide this complex process that will shape Troy’s built environment for years to come.

The new roster reflects both institutional memory through returning chairs and fresh energy through new leadership and membership combinations. With each member carrying equal committee responsibilities, Troy’s council enters the term well-positioned to discuss projects while maintaining the steady governance residents expect.

Announcing our January Community Survey!

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