DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: December 17, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Department: City Manager's Office
Subject: Election of Mayor Pro Tempore (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, open nominations for a member of the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
City Manager's Comments
No recommendation.
Executive Summary
The position of Mayor Pro Tempore is established by the City Charter. Each year, the City Council elects one of its members to serve in this role. In accordance with the San Bernardino Municipal Code (SBMC), the election of the Mayor Pro Tempore is to be held at the second regularly scheduled meeting in December.
Background
The position of Mayor Pro Tempore is outlined in Section 302 of the City Charter, which provides that the City Council shall select a Mayor Pro Tempore from among one of its own members. In the event the Mayor is temporarily unable to perform the duties of office due to absence from the City, illness, or any other cause, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall assume all powers and authority otherwise vested in the Mayor, subject to certain exceptions. When presiding over a City Council meeting in the Mayor’s absence, the Mayor Pro Tempore may not cast an additional vote in the event of a tie or exercise veto powers over Council action; the Mayor Pro Tempore may only continue to exercise his or her vote as a Council Member.
Juan Figueroa is currently the City’s Mayor Pro Tempore, where he has served in the position for the past one (1) year. Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa was elected to the position by his fellow Council Members on December 18, 2024.
Discussion
In accordance with Section 2.01.010 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code (SBMC), the City Council shall elect a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. The SBMC specifies that this election is to occur at the second regular meeting in December. The Council Member serving as Mayor Pro Tempore shall continue in this role until a successor is elected by the City Council or until the Council Member is no longer a member of the City Council, whichever occurs first. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Electing a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore is in alignment with all of the Key Strategic Targets and Goals: (1) Improved Operational & Financial Capacity; (2) Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community; (3) Improved Quality of Life; and (4) Economic Growth and Development.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the nomination of a Mayor Pro Tempore.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, open nominations for a member of the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - City Charter Section 302
Attachment 2 - Municipal Code Section 2.01.010
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
December 15, 2021 The Mayor and City Council elected Juan Figueroa to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore until the second regularly scheduled Mayor and City Council meeting in December 2022
December 7, 2022 Mayor and City Council elected Fred Shorett as Mayor Pro Tempore.
January 17, 2024 Mayor and City Council elected Fred Shorett as Mayor Pro Tempore.
December 18, 2024 Mayor and City Council elected Juan Figueroa as Mayor Pro Tempore.
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager