Charles Grimm was chosen mayor of Pasco by the City Council at the body's first meeting of 2026, and David Milne was confirmed as mayor pro tem.

Council nominated Grimm with no opposition and confirmed his selection by voice vote. The council then confirmed Milne as mayor pro tem; that confirmation was recorded as a 5–1 vote. After the leadership selections the council briefly recessed to rearrange seating and resume the meeting.

Later in the meeting the council addressed a vacancy in Council position number 4. City attorney Daniel Kenny advised the council to declare the seat vacant because the previously elected individual had not taken the oath of office. The council unanimously declared position 4 vacant under Pasco Municipal Code §1.15.13, which directs the remaining council members to appoint a qualified individual to serve until the next general municipal election.

Joe Carter, who previously served on the council and was present in the audience, spoke in support of reappointment. Councilmember Perales moved to reappoint Carter; the motion was seconded and the council approved the reappointment by roll-call vote, 5–1 (Council member Hernandez recorded a no vote). Carter will take the oath of office at a later date, according to the clerk.

The leadership votes and the appointment set the council’s membership for the coming months and will affect committee assignments and representative duties the mayor supervises.

The council adjourned other organizational business after completing the reappointment and resumed regular agenda items.