Jason Collin appointed next South Lake Tahoe mayor, Tamara Wallace as mayor pro tem

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year the South Lake Tahoe City Council chooses who is mayor and who is mayor pro tem during the upcoming twelve months. A wrench was thrown into that format by Councilman Cody Bass who asked that each mayoral term be just nine months so that all of the councilmembers could have a turn at the ceremonial position during their tenure.

Jason Collin was appointed as the next mayor and Tamara Wallace as the next mayor pro tem. Their terms will start at the December 3, 2019 City Council meeting. Devin Middlebrook also expressed interest in being the next mayor but supported via his vote with the Collin/Wallace ticket.

Collin will be starting the final year of his term as he becomes mayor. He recently started his own company, MOJO project. His position is that as coach, speaker and trainer in helping others in "building MOmentum creating JOy."

Bass's proposal was passed by a vote of 3-2 to have nine-month terms for mayor. Councilmembers Middlebrook and Collin were the "nay" votes. His proposal came after public comment was closed so the only input in the proposal came from councilmembers. This new nine-month term could potentially put a newly elected councilmember into the mayor spot 18 months after being sworn in (if the three up for reelection don't come back).

"Participation awards for politics?" joked Collin about the idea all councilmembers will become mayor at one time. As many longtime locals know it isn't a guarantee that the mayor pro tem will become mayor. Even though the current group gets along well, new members could be joining after the November 2020 election as well as possible differing opinions.