Yucaipa council renames 'Mayor Pro Tempore' title to 'Deputy Mayor'

The Yucaipa City Council voted on Jan. 26 to introduce and read an ordinance (No. 478) changing the municipal title 'Mayor Pro Tempore' to 'Deputy Mayor' across the city’s municipal code and documents.

Council member Woolsey moved the ordinance’s introduction and first reading; it was seconded and then approved by the council. Supporters said the term 'Deputy Mayor' is more immediately understandable to the public and is used by larger California cities, while opponents or abstainers noted 'Mayor Pro Tem' is common in the Inland Empire and the change is primarily nominal.

The ordinance requires staff to update municipal code, policies and resolutions to reflect the new title if the ordinance is adopted in later readings.

What happens next: Staff will carry out the ordinance’s first‑reading adoption steps and update city documents if and when the ordinance completes the formal adoption process.