Kevin Faulconer was unanimously re-elected president pro-tem of the San Diego City Council today, putting him in the number two position behind council president Tony Young.
The vote took place at a special meeting of the City Council. A subsequent vote established committee assignments for the council members.
"I'm very optimistic about our ability to work together as a council under your leadership, Mr. Young," said Faulconer, who represents downtown, Point Loma and Mission Bay.
Noting that he has two new colleagues in David Alvarez and Lorie Zapf, Faulconer said the new council has "a mix of experience and new energy."
Young said he looks forward to Faulconer's attempts to reform municipal finances.
Faulconer is among the more conservative minority on the council, which also includes Zapf and Carl DeMaio, who was absent from the special meeting.
None of the three were named to lead a council committee.
Young moved from the chairmanship of the Budget and Finance Committee to the head of the Rules, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. The Budget Committee will be led by Todd Gloria, who said he is eager to resolve the city's structural deficit.
"San Diegans have shared with us their funding priorities over the past several years and opposed a sales tax increase last fall," Gloria said. "The City Council now will use those directives to shape a solution to the long-term financial challenges and our immediate shortfall, while protecting
core government services."
The council also formed an ad hoc committee to oversee redevelopment issues.
