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Lake Elsinore councilmember Natasha Johnson resigns to join State Assembly; council to discuss replacement
Summary
Mayor Tisdale read a resignation letter from Councilmember Natasha Johnson saying she will be sworn in to the California State Assembly on Sept. 8, 2025; the council scheduled discussion of how to fill the vacancy for a future meeting.
Mayor Tisdale read a resignation letter from Councilmember Natasha Johnson saying she is resigning from the Lake Elsinore City Council effective Sept. 8, 2025, because she will be sworn in that afternoon as a member of the California State Assembly.
The letter, read aloud at the start of the meeting, said Johnson served on the council since November 2012 and highlighted accomplishments including a lake management plan, LaunchPoint (a city-owned business project), public safety work and new public-works facilities. The letter said Johnson’s approach combined “practical, visionary, and sustainable” leadership and concluded with “with deepest gratitude and respect, Natasha Johnson, Lake Elsinore strong.”
Why it matters: Johnson’s departure creates a council vacancy and the council indicated it will place the process to fill the seat on a future meeting agenda.
Council responses and next steps: Councilmember Manos and Councilmember Sheridan praised Johnson’s service. Councilmember Manos said Johnson will “serve us well” in Sacramento and the council collectively noted her 13 years on the council. Mayor Tisdale said the council will bring the vacancy-filling process back at the next meeting for discussion; the meeting record shows no formal appointment or election was conducted that evening.
Background and context: The resignation letter cites Johnson’s 13 years of service and lists initiatives the council advanced during her tenure, including the Lake Management Plan, LaunchPoint and investments in emergency operations facilities. The letter also referenced local responses to wildfires and floods experienced during her time in office. The council made no formal policy changes related to those programs at this meeting.
Ending: The council did not take formal action to fill the vacancy. The mayor said the replacement process will be discussed on the next meeting agenda.
