Cottonwood City Councilwoman Debbie Wilden was elected vice mayor of Cottonwood at the Jan. 3 city council meeting, effective from Jan. 4.
Mayor Tim Elinski emphasized that every council member should have the opportunity to step into the vice mayor role, and outgoing Vice Mayor Jackie Nairn wanted to pass along the position to facilitate that.
While voters directly elect the mayor, the vice mayor is elected by council members themselves.
“I believe that the person that I would like to see in this position next is going to do an excellent job,” Nairn said. She made the motion to appoint Wilden, which was seconded by Councilwoman Tosca Henry — who was elected vice mayor in 2019 — and unanimously carried in a roll call vote.
Wilden was raised in Litchfield Park, and graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. Her professional career has included time spent in commercial real estate, account sales with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and economic development and chamber of commerce management, including with the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce.
Discussion of the Silverado Lofts development had also been scheduled for the council meeting, but was delayed until a later date, most likely the first meeting of February.
The council also appointed new members to committees and organizations concerned with city and regional matters. Wilden continued her primary position with the Boards and Commissions application review committee, as did Henry with the Verde Valley Transportation and Planning Organization and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement Board.
Councilwoman Helaine Kurot filled the primary position with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments and the Cottonwood Personnel Board. NACOG serves local governments and citizens through planning, communication, advocacy, policy making and technical assistance. The personnel board hears appeals of employees’ grievances, disciplinary actions and dismissals according to city policy.
Nairn filled the primary position for Cottonwood Area Transit and Councilman Stephen DeWillis filled the primary position for the pension board.
The next regular city council meeting will be held on Jan. 17.
For more information on Cottonwood’s boards and commissions, visit cottonwoodaz.gov/355/boards-commissions.
