FW City Council President Russ Jehl Steps Down as President, Geoff Paddock Voted Interim President

The president of Fort Wayne City Council, Russ Jehl, resigned as council president last night effective immediately. Jehl said he hoped that Councilman Geoff Paddock would be voted to serve as the next City Council president for the rest of the year, and Paddock was unanimously approved with Councilman Scott Myers absent. Jehl said his resignation as president is due to his work-related travel, which would cause him to miss multiple council meetings. Council vice president Marty Bender is expected to be voted the next president in January 2026.