Jurupa Valley council elects Brian Berkson as mayor, resolves vice mayor slot after debate

At its reorganizational meeting the Jurupa Valley City Council elected Brian Berkson to serve as mayor for the 2025 calendar year, then moved on to fill leadership roles for mayor pro tem/vice mayor amid discussion about rotation and participation in city events.

The floor was opened for nominations for mayor; a nomination for Brian Berkson received a majority in a roll-call vote and he was declared elected. Council then opened nominations for mayor pro tem (vice mayor). Armando Carmona received a nomination but the initial roll-call vote did not produce a majority, triggering debate among councilmembers about whether the office should rotate and whether nominees should be those who regularly attend city events.

Councilmembers at the dais expressed differing views: one member said the rotation policy "was to try to keep things fair," while another argued the mayor pro tem should be "somebody that can legitimately...be at a variety of city events." After additional discussion and a subsequent vote, the council declared Councilmember Chris Barajas vice mayor. Members urged cooperation going forward and invited residents to participate in community events the new leadership will promote.

The leadership votes were recorded by roll call. Councilmembers asked staff to continue coordinating rosters for regional boards and committee representation under the new leadership.