The Lake Elsinore City Council appointed Michael Carroll to fill the District 4 vacancy created by the resignation of Councilmember Natasha Johnson. The nomination by Mayor Pro Tem McGee and subsequent roll-call votes resulted in two members selecting Carroll and one member abstaining, which the city attorney said constituted a majority of those voting.

The council had the option under state law to appoint or call a special election; staff said the council previously chose appointment and formed a two-member subcommittee to interview six applicants. The council’s subcommittee recommended two names to the full council after in-person interviews. Mayor Pro Tem McGee formally placed Michael Carroll’s name in nomination during the meeting and said, “Our number 1 pick was Michael Carroll.” Mayor Tisdale noted that “District 4 came out and spoken tonight” to reflect public participation during the comment period.

The nominee addressed the council, saying he did not take the appointment lightly and that he would “be a steward of District 4.” Multiple residents had urged the council to appoint Carroll during public comment, citing his local ties, service on the planning commission and volunteer work. Planning Commissioner John Gray, who said he has served on the city’s Planning Commission for 13 years, told the council, “I don't know anyone else who has served on the commission who has quite the detailed knowledge and awareness of the city as he does.” Several other District 4 residents described Carroll as dependable, community-oriented and active in youth sports and homeowners’ associations.

Councilmember Sheridan reiterated his prior position that the selection should be left to District 4 voters and said he would support calling a special election; Sheridan recorded an abstention during the roll call. Councilmember Manos nominated Nicole Dailey during the vote, and Mayor Pro Tem McGee and Mayor Tisdale voted for Carroll. The city attorney explained that because one member abstained, the majority is calculated among those who cast votes, and the two votes for Carroll constituted the required majority.

The council recorded the outcome as an appointment; staff said Carroll will be formally sworn in at the council’s Nov. 18 regular meeting and that the next regularly scheduled citywide election will determine who serves the remainder of the term. The council discussion also noted that, if the council had chosen to call a special election, statutory timelines would have required action before Nov. 7 to place an election on the ballot.

Public input on the appointment occupied an extended portion of the meeting; speakers included residents and community leaders who offered endorsements and described the applicants’ experience in local boards, nonprofits and businesses. The record also included eight written communications supporting another applicant, which the clerk said were distributed to the council and entered into the record.

Action details: Mayor Pro Tem McGee nominated Michael Carroll; no second was required. Roll-call votes: Councilmember Sheridan — abstain; Councilmember Manos — Nicole Dailey; Mayor Pro Tem McGee — Michael Carroll; Mayor Tisdale — Michael Carroll. Outcome: Michael Carroll appointed (majority of votes cast). The appointee’s oath of office is scheduled for the Nov. 18 meeting.