Hinesville City Council may have set another first for itself at its first meeting of 2024.

Council members unanimously chose Vicky Nelson, the District 3 council me mb e r, to serve as mayor pro tem. City Manager Kenneth Howard said Nelson is the first female mayor pro tem he can recall.

Nelson represents District 3 and is starting her third full term in office.

Council member Jason Floyd said he had served in that role in the past and suggested that one of the two female council members be appointed as the two newest members — District 4’s Dexter Newby and District 5’s Jose Ortiz — get acclimated.

Diana Reid from District 1 immediately offered a motion to have Nelson become mayor pro tem, which a drew a swift affirmation from the council.

“We are a groundbreaking council, and we will continue to be that,” Mayor Karl Riles said.

Keith Jenkins had been the mayor pro tem but when he decided not to run again for his District 4 seat, a new pro tem was needed. The city’s charter calls for the selection of a mayor pro tem at the calendar year’s first meeting following an election.

The appointment of mayor pro tem is for two years.