Today brought a new year, three new Pierce County Council members and the same result for council chair.

The County Council today unanimously re-elected Joyce McDonald, R-Puyallup, as chairwoman for a second year.

Rick Talbert, D-Tacoma, was re-elected a vice chairman. The council also selected Stan Flemming, R-University Place, as executive pro tem.

McDonald and three new council members were officially sworn in today prior to the council meeting. The new members are: Doug Richardson, R-Lakewood, Jim McCune, R-Graham, and Connie Ladenburg, D-Tacoma.

The three new members were elected to four-year terms Nov. 6. McDonald was re-elected then.

The Republican majority on the council remains the same as last year, 5 to 2. Three council members – Dick Muri, R-Steilacoom, Roger Bush, R-Frederickson, and Tim Farrell, D-Tacoma – left office at the end of last year due to term limits.

As chairwoman, McDonald will continue to manage the agenda for the council’s meetings. She earns the same annual salary as her six council colleagues: $107,602.