19-year-old takes seat on city council, becoming youngest member in Morenci's 182-year history

MORENCI, MI – When Katie Cox takes a seat on the Morenci City Council on Monday, May 18, it will be the first full meeting the teen will oversee as the youngest public servant in the city's 182-year history.

Cox, 19, was one of five people who sought the appointment to a council seat vacated in April by Pearl Phelps. She was appointed May 11.

Phelps stepped down from her post due to an illness, City Administrator Michael Sessions said.

Morenci Mayor Bill Foster made the recommendation to appoint Cox from the pool of candidates, which included former Mayor Keith Pennington, Peggy Decker, Denise Walsh and Becky Miller.

"I've always had an interest in government and politics," the 2013 Morenci High School graduate and Jackson College student said. "I care about this town and saw an opportunity to serve."

Cox's appointment will have her fill out a partial term for the next several months. She said she plans to run in November to be elected to a full four-year term as City Councilwoman.

Cox will begin attending Eastern Michigan University in the fall to study social work.

Sessions said he can identify with Cox, as he was elected mayor of Hillsdale in 2005 at 18, the youngest mayor in the city's history.

"We're excited to have her on board," Sessions said.

After serving as Hillsdale mayor through 2009, Sessions graduated from Hillsdale College and worked as the Blissfield Downtown Development Authority director from 2010-2012.

He was hired as Morenci's city administrator in November 2013.

Morenci City Council meets 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, in City Hall, 118 Orchard St.

Will Forgrave covers city and county government for the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Contact him at wforgrav@mlive.com or 517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.

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