Phoenix Council selects Anne O’Brien as vice mayor amid praise for outgoing Deborah Stark

The Phoenix City Council voted 7–1 on Jan. 15 to select Councilwoman Anne O’Brien as the city’s vice mayor, the annual leadership appointment that will move into effect next week.

Mayor Gallego and multiple council members praised outgoing Vice Mayor Deborah Stark for a year of work on street safety, accessibility and transportation policy. Vice Mayor Stark, who nominated O’Brien, said she is stepping down because of family issues and expressed confidence in O’Brien’s leadership.

At the meeting, Councilman Robinson formally moved to approve the minutes of May 29 and, later in the session, council members offered personal remarks highlighting Stark’s role in chairing the TIP subcommittee and advancing road-safety partnerships with local school districts. Stark recounted prioritizing neighborhood meetings over higher-profile events and said family concerns require her to step back from the vice mayor role.

One council member asked to explain their vote during the roll call, saying the vice mayor position requires a deep citywide perspective and concern that the nominee may not be fully prepared to serve all communities; that council member then cast their vote against the nomination. The roll call recorded seven votes in favor and one against.

The council recorded the formal appointment at the conclusion of the roll call. Vice Mayor Stark will continue to fulfill the vice mayor duties for this meeting, and Anne O’Brien will begin her leadership period next week.