City Selection Committee elects Mayor Tessa as 2026 chair; Kevin O named vice chair

The Ventura County City Selection Committee voted unanimously to elect Mayor Tessa as chair for the 2026 calendar year and to name Committee Member Kevin O of Simi Valley as vice chair.

Committee members opened the meeting with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance before taking nominations for leadership. A motion to select Mayor Tessa as chair was made and seconded and passed without dissent; the committee then moved to elect Kevin O as vice chair by unanimous voice vote. The meeting was turned over to the newly seated chair to continue the agenda.

The nominations were brief; the clerk explained that last year’s chair and vice chair are no longer mayors, which left the positions vacant for the calendar year. Committee members did not record any abstentions or opposition during the votes.

Following the leadership votes the committee proceeded to the public agenda. There were no public comments on non-agenda items before the committee moved on to appointments under items 8 and 9.

The committee did not set additional standing meeting dates and said the chair is expected to preside only at special appointments or as otherwise required during the year.