Newly elected and returning city officials were officially sworn in during the April 24 meeting of the Perryville Board of Aldermen, marking a transition in leadership following the April 7 municipal election.
The most notable change came with the swearing-in of Dustin Miller as city marshal, a position that serves as the city’s police chief. Miller won a three-candidate race in the April election and now assumes leadership of the Perryville Police Department. As he was sworn in, Miller’s brother stood beside him holding a framed photo of their deceased father.
“I’m eager to get started,” Miller told the board following the ceremony. “The next few weeks are going to be a little hectic, but I’m ready to get going and couldn’t be more excited.”
Also taking the oath of office were Mayor Larry Riney, who was re-elected, and aldermen Deanna Klein (Ward 1), Kurt Buerck (Ward 2) and Clinton Rice (Ward 3), all of whom were returned unopposed to their seats by voters.
In addition, Jeremy Triller was sworn in as the city’s newly appointed fire chief.
The election results were formally certified at the start of the meeting before the swearing-in ceremony took place.
Following the administration of oaths, the board reconvened with its newly seated members and proceeded with annual organizational business, including the selection of a board president and committee assignments for the coming year.
Beyond the ceremonial transition, the board addressed several items of routine and ongoing business. Aldermen approved a consent agenda that included various city matters and moved forward on development-related decisions, including approval of a subdivision plan request.
The board also approved an agreement to assist with the replacement of a private sewer line along South Shelby Street, allowing the property owner to finance the cost over time, and entered into an agreement related to shared-use path projects tied to Missouri Department of Transportation funding.
City officials also heard updates on infrastructure and development projects, including upcoming work on stormwater improvements and shared-use paths expected to begin later this spring.
The meeting concluded with reports from city staff and a public comment addressing concerns about property damage related to fiber installation work, with city officials indicating they would follow up on the issue.
The swearing-in of Miller and other elected officials signals the beginning of a new term for city leadership as Perryville continues to navigate growth, infrastructure needs and community development initiatives in the months ahead.
