Murrieta Mayor Scott Vinton Resigning Office, To Leave Dec. 21

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta Mayor Scott Vinton has submitted his letter of resignation to the city, although he intends to stay through December 21, 2021, according to city documents.

His mayorship was set to expire on that date, but his term as District 5 City Council member is through December of 2022.

Vinton's letter of resignation was submitted to City Manager Kim Summers and City Clerk Cristal McDonald on August 31, according to city documents.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have made the personal choice to step down from my elected position as council member for District 5 in the City of Murrieta as of December 21, 2021," the letter reads. "Although it was my full intention to serve my entire 4-year term, my wife and I have made a life decision to relocate to Tennessee to build our forever home. Many circumstances over the last 18 months have led us to move our original move date of spring 2023 to the end of 2021.

"It has been a tremendous honor to serve this beautiful city," the letter continued. "Without a doubt, this has been a more fulfilling and rewarding opportunity than I could have imagined. The last 3 years could not have been possible without the incredible staff! I am very grateful for and proud of the entire staff, all of whom are committed to doing what is in the best interest of the city. I am constantly in awe of their hard work and dedication. I will miss all of you.

"I am also grateful to have served with my colleagues on the council. It has been an honor to work alongside each of them and I am confident they will continue to strive to make this the best City for our residents, businesses and visitors," the letter said.

The resignation creates a vacancy for City Council District 5. The district is located in the southeast corner of the city.

During the September 21 City Council meeting, council members will determine whether to fill the vacancy by appointment or let voters decide via a special election, according to the meeting agenda. The cost of a special election will likely be discussed.

Under state government code, Vinton's seat must be filled within 60 days after it becomes vacant — either by appointment or by calling a special election. If an appointment cannot be agreed upon within the 60-day period, a special election must be held, according to the city.

Vinton was elected by voters to the Murrieta City Council in 2018. He ran unopposed and received 4,542 votes, according to the election results.

Vinton was appointed by his colleagues in December 2019 to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, and in December 2020 to serve as Mayor.

According to his biography posted to the city of Murrieta website, Vinton and his wife, Lisa, and their five children moved to Murrieta in 2002. Two of the children graduated from Vista Murrieta High School and three graduated from Temecula Valley High School.

Vinton is a licensed civil engineer with Florida-based NV5, Inc. His wife works for the Bureau of Investigation as an investigative technician at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. All of their children are grown and the couple now has grandchildren, according to the biography.