"There goes your next three years," said Kimberley's Chief Corporate Officer George Stratton, after swearing in the new Mayor and Council on Monday evening.

However, to a man, and woman, it is three years that all seven were keen to get on with.

The ceremony was held at Centennial Hall in front of an appreciative audience of supporters.

After the swearing in, Mayor McRae gave an address highlighting what he hopes to accomplish and promising an "inclusive, open, optimistic, creative and energetic" team at City Hall.

McRae said he was honoured to have been elected by the voters of Kimberley.

"I recognize what an awesome opportunity it is," he said, adding that he thought that with a fine Council and City staff, the opportunity was there to get a lot done.

He also acknowledged former Mayor Jim Ogilvie.

"He worked tirelessly for Kimberley and his accomplishments are all around us," McRae said. He said that he hoped in the New Year Kimberley residents could come together for a celebration for Ogilvie.

He said that immediately after the election, he'd contacted all incoming Councillors and asked them to set short term, mid term and long term goals.

"Be careful what you ask for rings very true," he said. "But with careful planning and goal setting, we will be able to action many of these creative ideas.

"All the ideas were consistent with my belief system and goals. It's a good feeling to have a team sharing their goals."

McRae briefly outlined his priorities.

"A key goal of the new Council is to attract business. We want to see new business and see existing business thrive and grow."

The City must focus on economic development initiatives, he said.

"If there was one thing everyone talked about during the campaign it was economic development. We must foster an open for business environment, encourage business development in order to increase taxation, and bring the surplus back to the one million level That is very important."

He said he wants to see the City make more of an effort to engage youth, and also be more fully aware of what the community's needs are.

Shop local is a mantra people will hear often from him, McRae said.

"Every dollar spent here reaches seven other hands before it leaves," he said.

Improved communication is also a goal to ensure people feel well informed and engaged with City Council.

Another goal is to bring the Sun Mine online with minimum risk to taxpayers.

"People want to know more. They are thirsty for details."

Other priorities are wild life management with a near-term focus on the deer population, improved transportation options for seniors, community identity and branding, and infrastructure issues.

"I am very excited about the prospect for Kimberley for the next three years and I know Council shares my excitement," he said.

Council also took care of committee appointments. McRae will represent the City on the RDEK Board and the Ktunaxa Treaty Advisory Committee, with Hoglund as alternate.

Ratcliffe returns to the Finance Committee, Middlebrook gets Administration, McCormick Planning and Development, Parks and Rec for Oakley, Hoglund gets Public Works, and Health and Protection for Goodwin.