Homer Mayor Ken Castner on Monday ended his term in office and handed responsibilities off to Homer’s new mayor, Rachel Lord, during the Homer City Council meeting.

Zach Pettit, deputy clerk, officially swore her in to the position.

Once taking the new position, Lord presented outgoing Mayor Castner with a plaque that she read to the audience.

The plaque describes how Castner came into the office with an outlined list of duties and responsibilities. He took these responsibilities and led the council and represented the city for six years. With his capabilities for numbers, he helped the city close out past project balances and pay off the natural gas debt owed to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, according to the plaque.

The plaque noted that Castner sponsored legislation to distribute COVID-19 relief funds from the state back into the community through city economic recovery grant programs to assist vulnerable populations and to support Homer, senior citizens, Inc.

As he closed out his time as mayor, he also successfully advocated for water and sewer infrastructure at Jack Gist Park and established a dedicated investment account for the multiuse Community Recreation Center Fund. He leaves Homer a better place from when he started, the plaque said.

“So now, the Homer City Council, on behalf of the city of Homer express our heartfelt appreciation, admiration, and respect for your unwavering commitment to your community,” Lord concluded.

Lord’s term of office as mayor will expire in October 2026.

Emilie Springer/Homer News Homer’s new mayor, Rachel Lord, presents outgoing Mayor Ken Castner with a plaque recognizing his service to the City of Homer at the conclusion of the city council meeting at the Cowles Council Chambers at Homer City Hall on Oct. 14.