UPDATE: In an urgent move, the South Lake Tahoe City Council has appointed Heather Horgan to fill the vacant council seat, swearing her in during a special session on Tuesday night. Horgan, a former nursing supervisor at Barton Health, expressed her enthusiasm for serving the community after a competitive selection process involving numerous applicants.
Horgan currently serves as an administrative nursing supervisor at Sutter Health and is known for her extensive volunteer work with organizations such as El Dorado Search and Rescue and Keep Tahoe Blue. Her appointment is seen as a significant step toward ensuring diverse representation on the council, with Mayor Cody Bass emphasizing the importance of having women in leadership roles.
The decision to appoint Horgan comes after council members Scott Robbins, Keith Roberts, and David Jinkens all ranked her highly among their choices. “With only four members, we managed to count all the way to three,” Robbins joked, highlighting the council’s swift consensus.
In her acceptance speech, Horgan stated, “This opportunity brings together everything I care about: policy, preparedness, communication, and the health and safety of the community I love. I’m here tonight because I feel I can bring the same integrity, competence, and steady leadership to this council that has guided my career.” Her immediate swearing-in reflects the council’s commitment to prompt governance and community involvement.
The council also planned to address the appointment of a new mayor and mayor pro tem, but this item has been postponed to the meeting scheduled for January 13, 2024. This delay means that Mayor Bass will continue in his role without a pro tem for the remainder of the year.
As the community anticipates the new leadership dynamics, Horgan’s appointment brings a renewed sense of hope and engagement to South Lake Tahoe. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay tuned for further developments as the council continues to shape the future of the city.
