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Hogansville has a new city councilman.

Councilman Matthew Morgan resigned during the council meeting on Dec. 16. Former Post 5 candidate Jason Baswell was appointed to the council to replace him until the election in November.

Morgan said he was resigning due to a work engagement out of the country.

“It wasn’t an easy choice. I’ll be out of the country for at least a few months next year. Because I didn’t want this seat to be vacant, I decided to resign so someone can take my seat,” Morgan said.

Morgan announced his resignation at the end of the regular session of the Mayor and Council meeting on Dec. 16.

“It’s been such an honor to serve the people of Hogansville. I was born here, spent most of my life here, and I can’t think of a greater honor to serve and try to channel your thoughts into a better city,” he said.

“I truly believe this city is better off than it was three years ago. I can’t take full credit for that. It’s really due to a lot of the staff that are here,” Morgan said. “I’m very proud of the identity we have as a city. There are some great men and women that serve this city, and I hope this city appreciates that.”

As his final comments, Morgan read his resignation letter submitted to the city, effective Dec. 16.

“Serving this incredible community has been an honor and privilege, and I am profoundly thankful for the trust and support of the citizens of Hogansville,” Morgan said in his resignation letter. 

After Morgan’s resignation, Hogansville Mayor Jake Ayers discussed appointing someone to temporarily take Morgan’s Post 2 seat, which is up for reelection in November 2025.

Councilman Michael Taylor, Jr. made a motion to table the issue to a later date.

“I think it’s important that our residents know that we have a council seat that is open just for transparency purposes and for us as a council to really discuss this position,” Taylor said.

A vote was held to table the issue, which failed in a 2-2 tie. Council members Taylor and Kandis Strickland voted in favor, and Council Members Mandy Neese voted, and Mark Ayers voted against the measure. Mayor Ayers chose not to vote to break the tie.

Neese then made a motion to appoint Jason Baswell to the seat, which voted along the same lines with Neese and Councilman Ayers in favor and Taylor and Strickland in opposition. Mayor Ayers then broke the tie, voting in favor of Baswell’s appointment.

“I am very excited to appoint Mr. Baswell, who I’ve spoken to and is ready to fill the seat,” Mayor Ayers said. “[He is] someone who ran a very good race and had quite a few votes and I believe is fully equipped and ready to take on this seat.]Baswell narrowly lost an election to Strickland in 2023 for her Post 5 seat, earning 203 votes to Strickland’s 204 — losing only by one vote.

The Post 2 seat will be up for reelection in November 2025.