COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa City Council on Dec. 19 elected first-term Councilman Daniel Vaca to take the helm of City Hall in 2024.
Vaca was elected to the council in 2020 out of a slate of six candidates and served as Mayor Pro Tem, under then Mayor Tom Reische, in 2022. He has been an outspoken advocate for strategic spending of Measure B and American Rescue Plan Act funds on infrastructure and quality of life issues.
Vaca, who will be up for reelection Nov. 5, 2024, thanked the council for the opportunity to lead, and for their unanimous vote of confidence.
“I hope to do a fantastic job for the city and our residents,” Vaca said. “I want us to continue on the path we are going and continue to be able to work as a team.”
Councilman Ryan Codorniz, who was elected in 2022, in another highly contested election, was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem after serving just one year on the dais.
Codorniz served previously as Chairman of the Colusa Planning Commission.
Codorniz also thanked the council for their vote of confidence and said he was looking forward to serving.
Vaca and Codorniz replace 2023 Mayor Greg Ponciano, who has served multiple stints with the gavel, and first-year Councilwoman Julie Garofalo,
Ponciano will move from the center seat when the council reconvenes on Jan. 2. Garofalo resigned on Dec. 22, after her last meeting, to take a new job in San Luis Obispo County.
“It was a very difficult decision for me to make…and I couldn’t pass it up.”
Garofalo thanked Colusa voters for electing her in 2022 and said it has been a pleasure serving.
“It’s been a great experience this last year serving the city and citizens,” Garofalo said. “We’ve made a lot of good progress this year.”
The City Council has 60 days to appoint Garofalo’s replacement or call for a special election, said City Clerk Shelly Kittle.
The council, at its first meeting in 2024, will also select new committee and liaison assignments.
Officials noted the 2023 City Council was less divisive than in years past and worked well together to overcome challenges and implement new policies. The council also recently hired new Code Enforcement Officer, Manny Soto, and new City Planner, Mark Tomey.
“I hope to continue on the path we are going and being able to work together as a team,” Vaca said.