SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In an overflowing City Council chambers on Tuesday, the four remaining members of the council voted unanimously to move Cody Bass to mayor and hold off on naming a mayor pro tem until their annual leadership meeting on December 9, 2025.
To fill Tamara Wallace’s vacant spot, applications will be sought and collected for a possible vote during the November 17, 2025, council meeting.
Wallace stepped down after admitting to embezzling funds from the Lake Tahoe Presbyterian Church. The church’s legal counsel stated that she stole approximately $300,000, and the exact amount is expected when charges are filed. To date, the El Dorado County District Attorney has not filed charges against Wallace.
City Manager Joe Irvin started the conversation off by acknowledging recent events that affected the city, staff, and the public.
“This has been troubling for all,” said Irvin.
He thanked the City’s dedicated staff for their professionalism during this unprecedented time, and said City operations have continued, stayed focused, and he promised that Wallace didn’t touch City funds, and their audits have been open and well-received.
Many attending spoke up to also ask for Bass to step down after his arrest in Douglas County last month. The arrestable portion of those charges, the assault, has since been dropped, and he faces two misdemeanors. Bass addressed everyone to say he has done nothing wrong.
“I was falsely arrested and am absolutely innocent,” said Bass. He asked the public to give him his day in court.
Almost 30 people spoke up during the meeting on the matter of city leadership. Many who spoke asked for a council that had integrity, high ethics, and could act responsibly as they guide the city forward. Some said they were concerned for the community, and how the world would perceive South Lake Tahoe after the Wallace and Bass situations.
“We need a leader who can shine,” said speaker Robert Aaron.
Many standing before the council were first-time speakers and attendees, encouraging the younger generation to be involved. Many topics were brought up, including asking for higher standards from the electeds, and reminding Council they just took ethics and harassment training, and to remember what they learned.
“Our town’s reputation is at stake,” said one speaker.
“I am concerned about how we appear to the rest of the world,” said resident Gantt Miller. “We need to move forward with no more impasse.”
Several television stations and reporters from Sacramento and Reno were in attendance. With the extra crowd expected during the meeting, a seating area with a television was set up in the lobby, and a media area was set up in the back of the chambers.
It was obvious the key to moving forward was uniting as a community, for all to get along, and play well together; to work on problems together to move forward.
There were just two committee positions that Wallace held that had upcoming meetings before the Dec. 9 assignment meeting. The Council assigned David Jinkens to PADMA and Scott Robbins to Clean Tahoe.
The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 4, at 9 a.m.