Menifee Mayor Ricky Estrada announced earlier this month that he would be deployed overseas as a reservist in the U.S. Air Force for approximately six months starting in October.
“As you may know, I serve our community and country in several fashions as your mayor, teacher, and reservist in the United States Air Force,” he said in a social media post. “I love Menifee and America, and that is why I have dedicated my life to public service, as I believe that God has put us on this earth to show love for one another.”
In that post, Estrada said Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin would assume Estrada’s mayoral duties once his deployment begins. But because Estrada’s deployment is expected to continue into the first few months of 2026, City Clerk Stephanie Roseen at last week’s meeting said there were some decisions the council needed to make ahead of time, including the term of the mayor pro tem.
“Under our current policy, the mayor pro tem is selected annually by the city council each December to serve for the following year,” Roseen said at the August 20 meeting. “Because the mayor’s upcoming leave will span two calendar years, it is important for the council to discuss these options moving forward.”
Roseen gave the council three options: keeping the standard rotation that would have a new mayor pro tem selected in December, delaying the selection of a new mayor pro tem until Estrada returns or delaying the selection of a new mayor pro tem until December 2026.
Ultimately, the council directed staff that it was their preference to keep Karwin in the role until December 2026 in an effort to maintain continuity in the event Estrada’s deployment were to be extended.
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“I think that’s the most important thing for the city, just have that continuity, you know, so we know where to go for the leadership and for the people to to speak to their acting mayor,” Karwin said at the meeting.
At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the council will not only ratify that decision with a resolution, but will also discuss appointing an alternate presiding officer to take over in the event Karwin was unavailable and appointing alternate members of the council to regional boards and committees currently attended by Estrada.
The council also decided that the full organizational meeting, which generally happens at the start of every calendar year, will be postponed until after Estrada returns from his deployment due to both considerations for continuity and a request by Estrada to be more involved.
“Upon my return, I would like to participate more in the regional committees,” Estrada, who was elected Mayor last November, said at the meeting. “And that’s something that is important, and I would hope my colleagues keep in mind I would like the opportunity to participate in those and I’m open to your thoughts on how I can participate.”
It was not immediately known where Estrada would be deployed, but he said in his post that he would continue to stay in touch with city leadership and stay updated on local activities while he was away.
“Upon my return after six months, I will look forward to continuing all the great momentum our city has accomplished,” he said in the post. “I truly appreciate all your love and support.”
The council’s next meeting is set for September 3.
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