Sierra Vista council adopts ordinance changing 'Mayor Pro Tem' title to 'Vice Mayor'

The Sierra Vista City Council on Feb. 12 approved Ordinance 2026-002, which changes the municipal title "Mayor Pro Tem" to "Vice Mayor" in the city code.

City staff (Miss Adams) told council the ordinance makes no functional change to duties and is intended to improve public clarity. "Most people don't speak Latin and... Vice Mayor has come to be understood as the person that steps in for the presiding officer when necessary," staff said in the presentation of the ordinance.

Council discussion split over clarity versus cost. One council member described the change as a "vanity project" and questioned whether the city should spend to update materials and signage. Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Flowers said the change is primarily about public understanding and offered a narrower cost estimate. "I think clarity matters in government and I think it's worth the $500 to $700 to clarify and make things simpler to understand," Flowers said.

Carolyn Flowers moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded. The chair called the vote and later declared the ordinance passed. The transcript records the vote phrase "Opposed 1 6 1," and the chair stated the measure "is passed." The ordinance will be codified and the title formally updated 30 days after adoption, at which time the current Mayor Pro Tem will be styled as Vice Mayor.

Next steps: staff will coordinate code updates and notify relevant city departments so signage and official materials reflect the new title.