Nevada City Council certifies election, swears in Michaela Sortland and selects new mayor and vice mayor

Nevada City officials on July 8 certified the June 2, 2026 municipal election results, ceremonially swore in newly elected council member Michaela Sortland and selected a new mayor and vice mayor.

City staff reported the election canvas and certified totals, telling the council that 2,403 ballots were cast in the city election and that Michaela Sortland and Adam Klein received the highest number of votes for four‑year terms. The council adopted Resolution 2026‑21 accepting the certified results by roll call vote.

Dean Pucci administered a ceremonial oath to Sortland. After taking the oath, Sortland thanked voters and pledged to “listen to your needs and to uphold our shared values,” and said she would focus on environmental and sustainability goals and regional collaboration.

Council then followed the city’s procedure for selecting leadership. City staff explained that the usual automatic rotation did not apply this term because all eligible members had previously served as mayor. Council member Gary Peterson nominated Daniela Fernandez for mayor; the council elected Fernandez by majority vote. Peterson was then appointed vice mayor by a separate majority vote. The motions were approved by roll call.

The council paused briefly for a reorganization break and later presented a ceremonial gavel to the outgoing mayor. The meeting continued with routine business following the swearing‑in and leadership votes.

The council’s actions today were administrative and ceremonial; no policy changes tied to the reorganization were made at this meeting.