FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: January 15, 2026

Subject: Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore

Fircrest, WA – At the Fircrest City Council’s first regular meeting of 2026, the seven Councilmembers selected Nikki Bufford to serve as Mayor and Brett L. Wittner to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.

Both appointments are for two-year terms and were elected unanimously.

Mayor Bufford, who works as an energy risk manager for Tacoma Power, was re-elected to her Council position in the November election and will continue her service on the City Council while assuming the role of Mayor. Mayor Pro Tempore Wittner, an attorney in private practice, will serve in a supporting leadership role and preside over meetings in the Mayor’s absence.

“I am honored to receive the Council’s support to serve our community in this new capacity,” Mayor Bufford said. “We have a great Council that is dedicated to ensuring our city provides a high quality of life to every person in Fircrest. It’s important that we are nimble in our approach to balancing operations and new initiatives while remaining good financial stewards. I’m excited to work in partnership with our talented and dedicated staff on finding creative ways to advance our Council’s goals and priorities.”

Councilmembers David M. Viafore and Shannon Reynolds also were re-elected by voters in November and started new terms this month. And former Councilmember Joe Barrentine, who served one term from 2020 to 2024, also returns to the Council after winning an election in November.

The Fircrest City Council is responsible for enacting legislation, establishing policies, and adopting an annual budget, which totals $34 million in 2026.

The Fircrest City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 pm, and it holds a study session on the third Monday of each month at 6 pm at the City Hall, 115 Ramsdell Street. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Meeting agendas, minutes, and additional information are available on the City’s website.