UPDATE - OCTOBER 22, 2025: 

At Tuesday’s meeting, the South Lake Tahoe City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass to serve as Mayor through December 9. The council also voted to postpone selecting a new Mayor Pro Tem until that date.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has opened the application process to fill the City Council seat left vacant after former Mayor Tamara Wallace’s resignation on October 13.

Applications are available on the City Council website and at City Hall during normal business hours.

The City Clerk will accept applications from registered voters in South Lake Tahoe from October 24 through November 12 at 4:00 p.m.

During the November 18 meeting, the council will hear presentations and conduct interviews with applicants before potentially appointing a member to serve the remainder of the term, which runs through December 2026.

ORIGINAL STORY - OCTOBER 21, 2025: 

The South Lake Tahoe City Council has moved forward with a plan for Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass to serve as acting mayor until December.

The move came during a meeting on Tuesday evening.

The Council decided not to elect a new Mayor Pro Tem until a full council is in place, according to our reporter at the meeting.

One councilmember abstained from voting on the Mayor Pro Tem issue as it would have created a 2-2 tie.

Selecting a Mayor Pro Tem is part of the process - each time a new mayor is chosen.

Previous South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace resigned after confessing to stealing money from a church and saying she attempted to take her own life earlier this month.

The current mayor Pro Tem, Cody Bass, is facing assault and trespassing allegations in a separate case but says he has no plans to step down from the council.

Tuesday's meeting was at 5:30 p.m. And public commenters lined up to speak both in affirmation of Bass and his serving as mayor, and also in opposition. 

"I want us to be represented by people who take their positions seriously and humbly. So, I ask that Cody Bass resign or be removed, and we can start fresh as a town," said Samantha. 

"You've (Bass) always been very cordial and respectful to, you know, in the communications I've had with you," said Eric.

"You even had harassment prevention training. Yet you go on to harass, citizen just doing his job. It's despicable," said Scott. 

"Cody has shown time and time again that, despite his personal choices, he has done nothing but represent the best interests of our community. He has spoken with integrity at every level. He has been willing to compromise on every single issue," said Melissa. 

The City Council expressed gratitude for the community engagement and said they hope they can continue this public involvement despite recent issues. 

The agenda at Tuesday's meeting also included a report on city operations and appointments to open board and commission seats.

With Wallace’s resignation, the following positions are now vacant:

  • California Tahoe Conservancy – Voting Board member
  • El Dorado County City Selection Committee – Voting member
  • El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) – Voting member
  • El Dorado Countywide Oversight Board – Voting member
  • California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (Cal Tahoe JPA) – Voting member
  • Clean Tahoe Program – Voting Board member
  • Park Avenue Development Project Plaza Maintenance Association (PADMA) – Voting Board member
  • Tahoe Prosperity Center – Council Liaison
  • City Council Finance Subcommittee – Appointee

“Despite the recent changes in City Council leadership, city operations continue without disruption,” said City Manager Joe Irvin. “All City departments are fully operational, and serving the community continues to be our top priority. To reiterate, City funds are carefully managed, properly accounted for, and verified with an independent financial audit conducted annually as required by state law (California Government Code Section 26909).”

More information about the city’s audit process is available on the City Council FAQs page.