Niles City Councilman David Mann announced his intention to run for mayor in 2016 during Monday’s regular meeting of the city council.

Mann, who is in the final year of his first term on the council, said his decision to run came after much thought, prayer and consultation with family, friends and colleagues.

“I realize that running for mayor is not easy, but I have invested myself in this community, and I believe now more than ever we need someone as mayor who believes in the inherent greatness of our community, and has a combination of experience and a fresh outlook on the future,” he said.

The city’s longtime mayor, Mike McCauslin, said he does not plan to run for reelection when his term expires next year.

McCauslin has been mayor since 1999 and was a councilmember for eight years prior to that. He said he thinks it is time to give someone else a chance to lead the city.

“It has been a great privilege to serve the community and a responsibility that I do not take lightly,” he said. “In my tenure… we have been able to accomplish some remarkable things for the community. I hope to accomplish more before my term expires.”

Mann, a lifelong resident of Niles, represents the third ward on the city council. At age 20, he became the youngest Niles City Council member ever when he was elected in 2011.

Niles’ last contested mayoral race was in 2011 when McCauslin defeated councilman Tim Skalla 525 to 388 to earn his fourth four-year term as mayor.

No one other than Mann has announced they will run for mayor.