Victorville City Council certifies Nov. 5 election, administers oaths and names mayor and mayor pro tem

The Victorville City Council on Dec. 10 certified results of the Nov. 5, 2024, general municipal election, administered oaths of office to three newly elected council members and unanimously appointed Council member Liz Becerra as mayor and Council member Bob Harriman as mayor pro tem.

The council met in a special session at 6 p.m. and voted to adopt staff’s recommendation certifying the election results, a procedural step confirming the County of San Bernardino Registrar of Voters’s returns. The motion to adopt staff’s recommendation was moved by Council member Jones and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Robert (Bob) Harriman; Council members Leslie Irving, Jones, Harriman and Elizabeth (Liz) Becerra voted yes and Council member Blanca Gomez was absent. The certification names Tiffany Godin (District 1), Elizabeth “Liz” Becerra (District 3) and Leslie Irving (District 5) as the winning district candidates.

The certification preceded oath ceremonies for the three council members. City Clerk Jennifer Thompson administered the oath to Tiffany Godin; Deputy City Manager Sophie Smith administered the oath to Liz Becerra; and Jim Cox administered the oath to Leslie Irving. After taking the oath, Tiffany Godin told the council, “Now I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.” Leslie Irving, re-elected to District 5, said from the dais, “I’ve always said that elections… was about the people,” and thanked supporters and community organizations.

Earlier in the meeting the council recognized outgoing Council member Blanca Gomez for eight years of service and presented her with a plaque.

Following the oaths, the council opened nominations and voted on leadership positions. Council member Becerra was nominated and, with a unanimous vote by the four members present, was declared mayor. The council then opened nominations for mayor pro tem; Bob Harriman was nominated, accepted and was unanimously appointed by the members present. The council announced both leadership votes as unanimous among those present (Irving, Jones, Harriman and Becerra); Gomez was recorded as absent for the meeting.

Public comment at the start of the special meeting was limited to agenda items. Dara Smith, assistant assessor for Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, offered remarks recognizing Council member Leslie Irving’s service; Blanca Guerra briefly introduced HD Family Events and noted the meeting’s special-agenda limitation.

The council adjourned the special meeting at about 6:29 p.m. and invited attendees to a reception in conference room D.

Votes at a glance

- Certification of Nov. 5, 2024 general municipal election results — Motion to adopt staff recommendation. Mover: Council member Jones. Second: Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman. Vote: Yes — Leslie Irving, Jones, Harriman, Elizabeth (Liz) Becerra; Absent — Blanca Gomez. Outcome: Approved.

- Appointment of mayor — Nomination: Liz Becerra. Vote: Unanimous among members present (Irving, Jones, Harriman, Becerra). Outcome: Appointed.

- Appointment of mayor pro tem — Nomination: Bob Harriman. Vote: Unanimous among members present (Irving, Jones, Harriman, Becerra). Outcome: Appointed.

Background: The certification item relayed vote totals and precinct summaries prepared and maintained by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters and presented to the council by City Clerk Jennifer Thompson. The oaths of office recited the standard pledge to support the U.S. and California constitutions and to faithfully discharge the duties of office.

No ordinances, contracts, budget actions or policy adoptions were considered at this special meeting; the agenda was limited to items related to seating newly elected council members and selecting council leadership.