City Council names Dale Welty new mayor

The City Council of the City of Canyon Lake was reorganized during last week’s council meeting and the council named Dale Welty as the city’s new mayor. After two years of service, a grateful Jeremy Smith stepped down and praised his fellow council members and city staff.

“It has been my privilege and honor to serve as mayor of the City of Canyon Lake for the last two years with the support and encouragement of my colleagues on the city council,” Jeremy said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make a positive difference in my community on behalf of my neighbors and friends—the citizens of Canyon Lake.”

The council members vote on who the mayor and mayor pro tem will be. They chose Mark Terry as the 2024 mayor pro tem. The other three members of the city council, Kasey Castillo, Jennifer Dain and Jeremy, will serve as council members.

“As mayor, I have enjoyed being involved in initiating and exploring critical public safety commitments while also ensuring the long-term health and financial sustainability for the City of Canyon Lake,” Jeremy said. “In the last two years, the city council and staff have made considerable progress in achieving our vision to provide a quality of life that makes Canyon Lake the premier place to live in Southern California.”

He listed several accomplishments the city made during his mayoral tenure, including:

The operation of the city’s first fire department, which officially started on January 1, 2022, which provides the highest quality public safety and emergency medical services for our community.

Purchasing the city’s first fire station to house our Canyon Lake Fire Department and provide the best services to the department and the community for years to come.

Securing a $1.2 Million Grant from Caltrans Local Highway Safety Improvement Program to make critical safety improvements along Railroad Canyon Road, which are starting next year.

Enhancing Railroad Canyon Road, including painting the walls along this stretch of roadway as well as traffic signals and utility boxes to improve this main entryway into our city.

Initiating a Law Enforcement Study to explore the city’s options for quality law enforcement services to assist in future decision-making related to such services in our city.

Exploring Economic Development Initiatives in the short- and long-term to seek additional revenue sources for ongoing cost increases and requirements to maintain local control.

Solidifying and diversifying city revenues by stabilizing the city’s general fund budget, which has grown to $7.5 million with reserves approaching 90 percent at the end of the last fiscal year.

Cultivating partnerships locally and regionally to further city goals and best serve the community.

“I look forward to continuing to support our staff and the community in my ongoing role on the city council and will remain accessible and approachable at any time,” Jeremy said. “This includes encouraging our new mayor and mayor pro tem during this transition.”