Walnut Creek City Council Names New Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; Welcomes New Council Member
The Walnut Creek City Council reorganized and swore in new and newly re-elected city council members at the December 3, 2024, City Council meeting. (l-r) Mayor Cindy Darling, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Wilk, Councilmember Cindy Silva, Councilmember Matt Francois, newly elected Councilmember Craig DeVinney.
At the December 3, 2024, meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council, council members adopted a resolution certifying the results of the November 5, 2024, elections, and selected a new mayor and mayor pro tem. Councilmember Cindy Darling, who was re-elected in November to her second term in office, was unanimously chosen to serve as mayor for the next year. Councilmember Kevin Wilk, who was re-elected to his third term, was unanimously chosen to serve as mayor pro tem. Mayor Darling and Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, along with newly elected Councilmember Craig DeVinney, were sworn in and took their seats at the dais, ready to work along side fellow council members Matt Francois and Cindy Silva.
"It will be my honor to represent the City of Walnut Creek as Mayor for the coming year," said Mayor Darling. "There are many layers of government that represent us all, from local to state to federal. Cities are the government closest to the ground, and we will continue to find ways big and small to improve the lives of Walnut Creek residents. We will work to make our city a safe welcoming space to live, work, and play. It is also important to make this a prosperous place with economic opportunity for all, and a green healthy sustainable city where we can be proud to raise our families."
Our Walnut Creek City Council makes decisions that significantly impact our communities and businesses’ operations, including decisions about taxes, zoning, infrastructure projects, and economic development initiatives. Engaging with City Council and getting to know its priorities allow community members and businesses to be heard and to advocate for their interests. Public meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of the month, 6pm, City Council chambers in City Hall.
Earlier in the year, now former Mayor Loella Haskew, who served for 12 years on City Council, including three terms as mayor, announced she would not be seeking re-election. At the December 3 transition meeting, she was honored by elected officials from the county, state, and Congress, as well as several community members, who spoke of her long and remarkable history of community service. She led the Council and City of Walnut Creek during some challenging times, including the start of the pandemic, and she will no doubt continue to be an influential voice in civic and community work.
For more information and to hear personal comments from each of the Council members and guest speakers, watch the video recording of the December 3, 2024, City Council transition meeting.
