Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday unanimously selected a new mayor and vice mayor from among their ranks to serve one-year terms in 2024.
Outgoing Mayor Tim Schaefer handed over the gavel to Bret Daniels at the start of the Dec. 14 City Council meeting, with the two the swapping seats as well as titles. Jayna Karpinski-Costa was also selected to serve as vice mayor.
“I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the job that Mayor Tim Schaefer has done of the last year,” said Daniels upon taking his new seat. “Hasn’t been an easy year, we’ve gone through a lot of things, a lot of challenges, and the mayor, Tim, not only fulfilled those duties but has to work a full-time job too.”
Daniels also called being selected as mayor a “special honor” and said his highest priority will continue to be public safety. He also said “there’s going to be a lot of work ahead, but it’s going to be a very fun year,” noting the City Council’s current eyeing of forming a new school district as well as potentially annexing several areas to expand the city’s boundaries.
With a smile, Daniels said 2024 will be his “last year” on the council, likely in reference to his current bid to run for the open District 4 seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. His four-year term will also end in 2024.
Daniels previously served a term as mayor in 2005, before he resigned from the council citing personal and family reasons. He returned to the City Council in 2016 after being elected again, and most recently served a term as vice mayor in 2023.
Karpinski-Costa, who was appointed as vice mayor, previously served as mayor in 2011 during a prior term on the council. She later left serving on the council, but returned in 2022 after winning election to the District 4 seat.
