As 2019 draws to a close, the Santa Clarita City Council prepares to take part in their yearly tradition of passing the mayoral torch to the next bearer during the selection of the new mayor.

Current Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean is set to step down as mayor next Tuesday in preparation for selection of a new Santa Clarita Mayor for 2020, officials said.

McLean previously served as mayor in 2007, 2011 and 2015, and 2019 during her 17 years on the Santa Clarita City Council. Since her heated election in 2018, McLean centered her efforts on multiple topics such as transportation, the environment and business development.

In 2018, an upset occurred during the mayoral selection process when Councilmember Bob Kellar instead nominated Cameron Smyth for mayor, although then-Mayor Pro Tem McLean was next in line for the seat. The City Council typically chooses the mayor via a rotation process amongst the councilmembers.

Current Mayor Pro Tem Smyth is next in line as mayor if the election process continues in its traditional fashion. It would be his fourth term as mayor.

During the Nov. 12 City Council meeting, two members of the public approached the council with the request that Councilman Bob Kellar be made mayor for his final year on the City Council, citing their desire that the four-time mayor is honored for a fifth and final term.

Kellar had previously expressed a desire to finish his last year as mayor, and stated at the time that he would accept whatever the council decides.

Santa Clarita residents do not directly vote for mayor, instead, the City Council is elected by voters and then the five members select one member who heads the city.

The City of Santa Clarita is governed by a council-manager system, meaning the councilmembers direct and develop local policy, while the city manager oversees the implementation.

The current Santa Clarita City Manager, Ken Striplin, has held the position since December 2012.

The Santa Clarita mayor serves for one year, out of their four-year term, if selected by other members of the City Council.

The mayoral election meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec.10, in the City Council Chambers at Santa Clarita City Hall.

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