Scotts Valley City Councilman Randy Johnson will serve his second consecutive term as mayor after the council voted unanimously on Dec. 17 for him to remain in the post.

“I appreciate the vote and the actual vote of confidence given here,” Johnson said.

The role of mayor is a rotated annually among council members, and traditionally the vice mayor becomes mayor at the end of the calendar year.

However, with vice mayor Cliff Barrett retiring from political life, there was no one in line for mayor.

Councilman Dene Bustichi nominated Johnson to continue as mayor, citing Johnson’s experience and leadership in the past year as Scotts Valley moves forward with the Town Center project.

This is Johnson’s fourth turn as mayor, as he has served on the council since 1996.

Jim Reed was selected unanimously as vice mayor.

The mayor leads council meetings and has ceremonial duties, but the post carries no additional political muscle, other than the power of persuasion.

Barrett, a retired teacher and coach, left the council this year after serving for a decade. He was instrumental in the preservation of the Glenwood open space, the dog park and Skypark skate park.