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Sunnyside council selects new mayor, elects deputy mayor and confirms committee assignments

Sunnyside City Council · January 6, 2026

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Summary

Councilor Vicky Fausto was selected mayor without objection; Julia Hart was elected deputy mayor after a roll-call vote. The mayor announced subcommittee and liaison appointments and placed Olympia/DC advocacy trips on interest lists pending dates and budget confirmation.

Vicky Fausto was chosen as mayor of Sunnyside by the city council on a motion with no further nominations, the council announced at its Jan. 12 meeting. After the mayoral nomination closed with no opposition, the presiding officer declared Fausto mayor.

The council then held a contested vote for deputy mayor after two nominations. Julia Hart secured the deputy mayor position following a roll-call tally. Councilors discussed the role and thanked outgoing deputy mayor Galvan for his service.

Why it matters: leadership roles determine committee assignments and who sets meeting agendas. Mayor Fausto announced the council’s subcommittee rosters for public safety, finance and administrative services, public works, community development and rules, plus representatives to boards and intergovernmental groups such as YVCOG and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.

Councilors emphasized transparency and recommended sharing finance-subcommittee information broadly through study sessions so all members receive the same fiscal briefings. The mayor said she will coordinate subcommittee schedules with the city clerk and manager.

Several council members also volunteered for travel to Olympia and Washington, D.C., to advocate for Sunnyside projects; staff said dates and budgets are not final and the city will confirm attendees once the consulting group provides a head count.

What’s next: the mayor’s appointments stand and staff will set meeting dates for subcommittees and report back. The council placed interested members on a list for Olympia and Washington, D.C., trips to be finalized after dates and funding are confirmed.