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Phil Serna elected chair, Justin Rethal named vice chair after contested STA votes
Summary
The Sacramento Transportation Authority elected Phil Serna as chair and Justin Rethal as vice chair for 2025 after extended discussion. The chair vote passed by voice; the vice chair selection required roll-call voting and passed 13–2 after an earlier substitute motion failed to reach the nine‑vote threshold.
The Sacramento Transportation Authority selected new leadership for calendar year 2025 during its Feb. 13 meeting.
Phil Serna, who entered the meeting as vice chair, was nominated and approved to serve as chair. The motion to make Serna chair passed by voice vote.
The board then considered the vice chair position in a lengthy discussion that included comments on tradition, workload related to a possible future sales-tax measure and the desirability of rotating leadership between county and city representatives. A substitute motion to nominate incumbent Eric Guerra for vice chair failed in roll call after receiving eight yes votes and seven no votes; the clerk noted that nine votes were required for passage.
The original nomination for Justin Rethal as vice chair was then put to a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded 13 ayes and 2 noes, and the motion passed. The board briefly recessed for a seating change before continuing the meeting.
Why it matters: several board members said the choice of chair and vice chair matters for leadership during potential near-term tasks, including planning for a voter measure and legislative work. Some members argued experience at the state level or a demonstrated capacity to lead a complex campaign are important; others urged adherence to tradition to allow rotation of leadership among jurisdictions.
Actions recorded: the board approved the following leadership appointments during the meeting. The clerk recorded roll-call tallies for the vice chair vote but not for the chair vote, which was decided by voice.
Votes at a glance: - Chair: Phil Serna — approved by voice vote (no roll-call tally recorded). - Vice Chair: Justin Rethal — approved by roll-call vote, tally 13 yes, 2 no.
No bylaws or charter language was amended at the meeting; counsel confirmed there is no automatic promotion from vice chair to chair and that both positions will be decided again next year.
