City Council has a new mayor pro tem: Vanessa Fuentes. Fuentes, who will serve in the position for 2025, was elected unanimously by her colleagues at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison absent for the vote. “I appreciate the trust that you’ve placed in me to serve as your mayor pro tem for this year,” Fuentes said. “I am grateful for it, and I’m looking forward to our work together.” In the same vote, Council Member Chito Vela was elected to succeed Fuentes and serve as mayor pro tem for 2026.
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor. More by Elizabeth Pagano