Mayor Lyn Truitt nominated Villanueva. After the meeting, Truitt said he nominated Villanueva for his 25 years of service to Surprise as an elected official.
“He’s soft spoken, but well spoken,” Truitt said.
Villanueva will now act as mayor in Truitt’s absence at city meetings and events.
“I will do my best to honor that position,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva is back on the City Council after a four-year absence, having lost the District 4 seat to Danny Arismendez in 2003. Villanueva won it back in November.
Council members Joe Johnson and Gwyn Foro both voted against Villanueva’s appointment. After the meeting, Johnson said he wanted to be vice mayor. Foro also said she was her own top choice.
While both conceded that Villanueva had experience, they said his knowledge was not current and that he was not up to speed on key issues.
The vice mayor receives $20,242, the same yearly salary as a council member but less than the mayor, who receives $34,030.
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