New, returning Citrus Heights council members sworn in

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council has one new member, as of Wednesday night.

Kelsy Nelson was sworn in as a council member on Dec. 11, after winning 63 percent of the vote in a three-way race for the District 1 seat. Nelson declared victory shortly after Election Day on her campaign page.

Previously, former Mayor Bret Daniels occupied the District 1 seat but resigned three months before his term was to expire, after his family moved out of state. In previous reports, Daniels said he tried to find housing in his district and was intending to finish out his term, but he was forced to resign when he was unable to secure housing within District 1.

During a Citrus Heights City Council Candidate Forum held in October, Nelson discussed multiple topics including homelessness, education, law enforcement and the Sunrise Mall, often emphasizing the continuation of beautification as her primary focus.

On the topic of local education, Nelson said she was “open to the possibility” of creating a local school district. Referencing her attending local schools as a student, she said “it could have been better.” On the topic of law enforcement on school campuses Nelson agreed with all other candidates that law enforcement officers should be placed on local high school campuses. Nelson said having officers in schools creates a “connection” with kids early on.

In discussing the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, Nelson described the current plan as “super exciting” and called a recent proposed amendment to the plan “concerning.” The proposed amendment which was set to go before the City Council in November was later postponed.

“It’s a pillar of our community, and we need to cherish it,” Nelson said, referring to the Sunrise Mall.

Nelson served a short stint on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission. Her seat on the commission expires at the end of 2024, and the City Council is scheduled to appoint four new members in January.

Nelson returned to live in Citrus Heights in 2019 and currently helps run a ceramics supply store. Nelson is part of the local Realtors association and resides on the San Juan School District Standards and Curriculum Committee. Nelson also serves as the President of CHANT, Neighborhood Area 3 and is a representative of REACH.

Prior to the election, Nelson said she ran for City Council so she could “help guide our city’s steps” toward continuing to develop the city into a destination where people can “shop, work, and play.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer was also sworn in, having been reelected by 100 percent of the vote to represent District 3. Schaefer ran unopposed.