South Lake Tahoe council directs clerk to solicit applicants and appoints new mayor

The South Lake Tahoe City Council on Oct. 21 directed staff to solicit applications to fill the council vacancy created by Mayor Tamara Wallace’s Oct. 13 resignation, and appointed Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass as mayor for the remainder of the 2025 term.

City Manager Joe Irvin told the council the agenda item was intended to give the body options for filling the leadership void and to identify which boards and commissions previously attended by the mayor needed temporary coverage. City Clerk Blinkenship reviewed two paths: appoint someone from solicited applications and take action within 60 days, or call a special election consolidated with El Dorado County on June 2, 2026.

After an extended public‑comment period that brought dozens of residents to the podium — many demanding accountability, transparency or an election rather than appointment — council members voted to begin a solicitation process for appointment. Council members said they prefer to try appointment first to avoid operating with a four‑member council, but that an election remains the default if council cannot reach agreement within the legal time frame.

The council also voted to appoint Bass as mayor through the December 9 organizational meeting. Council then debated whether to fill the mayor pro tem role immediately. Seeing no majority for either candidate, the council voted 3–1 to postpone selection of a mayor pro tem until a full five‑member council is seated.

The council also made two interim appointments to outside bodies. David Jenkins was appointed as the city liaison to the Park Area Development Management Association (PADMA); Scott Robbins was appointed to the Clean Tahoe board.

Next steps: the city clerk will begin soliciting applications immediately and expect to bring qualified applicants back to council for interviews; if no appointment is agreed, the council must call the special election within the 60‑day window required by state law.