Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, 10 Council Members Sworn In

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, as well as 10 county council members, were sworn in Thursday.

The inauguration of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was held Thursday afternoon at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland.

Surrounded by family, @ACE_Fitzgerald takes oath for a record third term as Allegheny County Chief Executive. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/GhyncH0WmX

— Jon Delano KDKA (@JonDelano) January 2, 2020

KDKA's Jon Delano says Fitzgerald was surrounded by family as he took an oath for a record third and final term. Fitzgerald has been in office since Jan. 3, 2012.

Fitzgerald defeated Republican challenger Matt Drozd in the November elections.

KDKA's Jon Delano reports Fitzgerald pledged to continue his economic growth plan that has attracted many companies to the region, but added that we have to make sure it's an inclusive economy. He said we also need to focus on transportation.

WATCH: Allegheny County Council Members Sworn In

Fitzgerald was not the only official sworn in today.

KDKA's Jon Delano reports it was standing room only at the Gold Room in the Allegheny County Courthouse as ten council members -- three brand new, the rest reelected -- were sworn in Thursday evening.

Many have said the 15-member body has been a rubber stamp for Fitzgerald. Some new council members pledged that would change.

Democrat Bethany Hallam was one of the speakers. She said as a council member, her and her colleagues will be able to hold leadership at the Allegheny County Jail accountable. Once an opioid addict who was briefly incarcerated, Hallam has a compelling story of recovery.

Republican Sam DeMarco said, "For four years, we passed on time budgets with no tax increases. The last one in December was the 18th time in the last 19 years."

WATCH: KDKA's Jon Delano Has More From Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

County councilman Pat Catena, a Democrat, was elected president of Allegheny County Council on a 10-5 vote with support of the "reformers" on council and the three Republicans.

Catena and his supporters basically said it was a new day for Allegheny County Council.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.