Council asks staff to draft mayor-rotation policy after mixed views on seniority and safeguards

The Calamasa City Council discussed a possible formal mayor-rotation policy at its Aug. 18 meeting and directed staff to prepare a draft policy reflecting council feedback. Council members debated elements including automatic annual rotation by seniority, minimum service requirements to be eligible, whether a mayor should be barred from consecutive terms, and whether the council should retain an affirmative vote to bypass a nominee deemed unfit. Council members cited Beaumont and other neighboring cities as models for parts of the proposed approach and emphasized that any policy should preserve the council’s ability to withhold confirmation by majority vote. Council member Garcia said he favored equal opportunity to serve and suggested removing portions of model language that could create gridlock; other members urged a hybrid approach that pairs rotation with an affirmative confirmation to avoid elevating an unfit candidate. Several members said a one-year term for mayor and mayor pro tem is preferred; others argued for a two-year eligibility requirement for mayor in some models. Outcome: Council directed staff to draft a rotation/nomination policy incorporating the discussion, including legal language to allow the council to skip a nominee in the event of concerns about ethics or fitness for office. The item will return for council review.