It is with regret that City officials announce the resignation of Temecula Council Member Curtis Brown, effective January 1, 2024. After thoughtful consideration, Council Member Brown has made the difficult decision to step down and states, “It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the Temecula City Council effective January 1, 2024 due to work away from the City that requires my full attention and energy.”
Council Member Curtis Brown was elected to the Temecula City Council in 2022 and is a 26-year retired veteran of the fire service including service as a former fire chief for the City of Temecula. Brown retired as a deputy director at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in 2023 and is now a federal coordinating officer for FEMA. He is currently deployed in Maui for the Lahaina disaster recovery.
Mayor Schwank expresses his gratitude on behalf of the City of Temecula, “Council Member Curtis Brown has worked diligently and has represented Temecula residents and businesses with experienced leadership decisions that support the City’s excellent quality of life. His commitment to a lifetime of public service and public safety is highly respected, and he has served our City very well.” Mayor Schwank adds, “Curtis will be sincerely missed in his role as a council member, but we are fortunate he is rooted in our community and will remain engaged.”
Council Member Brown adds, “I extend my appreciation to my fellow Temecula residents, Mayor/Council colleagues, city manager and staff at the City of Temecula and I am confident the City is in excellent hands and optimistic about Temecula’s bright future. As a 16-year resident and public servant at heart, my commitment to Temecula extends beyond my time in office and I will continue to support Temecula and contribute to its progress in any way I can as a private citizen.”
Government Code Section 36512 sets forth the process by which to fill a vacancy on the City Council. The City Council has sixty (60) days from the effective date of a vacancy to fill that vacancy by appointment or call for a special election. If a vacancy occurs within the first half of a term and at least 130 days before the next general municipal election, the vacancy is filled through that election. With the effective date of the resignation on January 1, 2024, the City Council will need to make an appointment or call for a special election by March 1, 2024. If the City Council makes an appointment, the individual selected to fill the vacancy must be a resident of District 1 and will serve the balance of the first half of the term through the November 2024 election certification, which is the next general municipal election. There are no requirements for the methodology to be used for the appointment. If the City Council calls for a special election, it will continue to serve as a four-member body through the November 2024 election certification, which is the next special election date available for the vacancy. The District 1 candidate elected in the November 2024 election will serve the second half of the term. Regular elections and terms for the district will continue thereafter.