The Novato City Council has appointed new leadership for the coming year, appointing Councilmember Rachel Farac as mayor and Kevin Jacobs as mayor pro tem during its reorganization meeting Tuesday night.
Farac, who previously served as mayor pro tem, will hold the mayor’s post for one year, as will Jacobs in his new role. Outgoing Mayor Tim O’Connor formally passed the mayoral gavel to Farac during the meeting.
“Sitting here today as Mayor of Novato is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Farac said. “I am here because you believed in a shared vision — a Novato that grows thoughtfully, listens carefully and leads with heart.”
This marks Farac’s first time serving as mayor.
Meanwhile, Jacobs praised O’Connor’s leadership, saying he valued the outgoing mayor’s collaborative approach and focus on serving the community. O’Connor, who completed his first term as mayor, reflected on his time in office, calling it a monumental honor and noting the significance of being the first immigrant to serve as Novato’s mayor.
Novato operates as a general law city, meaning state law sets its governance structure and the City Council selects the mayor and mayor pro tem for one-year terms.
The newly reorganized City Council will hold its first meeting on Jan. 13 of next year.