Nikki Perez and Mike Van Gorder held the top two spots in Burbank’s City Council race Wednesday afternoon, while Nolan Southerland led David Donahue by 481 votes for the third and final seat. Mayor Tamala Takahashi stood fifth, 1,381 votes behind Southerland in her bid for another term.
The unofficial count as of 4:28 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, matched the totals reported earlier that morning. The three candidates with the most votes will be elected. Final vote totals are expected next week.
Perez led the 13-candidate field with 14,613 votes, followed by Van Gorder with 8,979. The closest contest was for third, where Southerland had 7,621 votes to Donahue’s 7,140. Takahashi had 6,240 votes, followed by Samantha Wick with 6,020. Vice Mayor Mullins chose not to seek another term.City Council candidate Votes Percent Nikki Perez 14,613 22.19% Mike Van Gorder 8,979 13.64% Nolan Southerland 7,621 11.57% David Phillip Donahue 7,140 10.84% Tamala Takahashi 6,240 9.48% Samantha Wick 6,020 9.14% Jackie Waltman 3,616 5.49% Eddy Polon 3,284 4.99% Robbie Brody 2,639 4.01% Jonathan Ontiveros 1,851 2.81% Hovanes “Hov” Tonoyan 1,666 2.53% Chris Yoosefi 1,432 2.17% JT Parr 741 1.13%
Voters favor charter amendment, oppose proposed council districts
Burbank voters were drawing a distinction between two questions about how they elect their City Council. A narrow majority favored Measure CC, which would allow the city to change its election system. A much larger majority opposed Measure CD, the specific proposal to elect council members by district.
Measure CC led by 1,481 votes, with 13,157 voting yes (52.98%) and 11,676 voting no (47.02%). It would remove the City Charter’s requirement for at-large elections, in which voters across Burbank choose council members. The council could then adopt an election system by ordinance, or voters could adopt one by initiative.
Measure CD would switch council elections to districts using Map 130. Of the votes counted, 18,976 (77.30%) opposed the change and 5,572 (22.70%) supported it. The City Council supported Measure CC and opposed Measure CD.
Hotel tax increase leads with 78.21% support
Measure C received 20,552 yes votes (78.21%) and 5,725 no votes (21.79%). It would raise the tax paid by Burbank hotel and motel guests from 10% to 12%.
The ballot measure estimates the increase would bring in about $3 million annually for city services, including fire and paramedic response, police, disaster preparedness, and programs for youth and seniors. The revenue would stay in Burbank, with audits and spending disclosures required. The City Council supported the measure. Each of the three ballot measures needs a majority to pass.
Morrison leads school board race by 599 votes
Rosemary T. Morrison led Paul Gerard by 599 votes in the race to represent Trustee Area 3 on the Burbank Unified School District board. Morrison had 2,011 votes (48.50%) to Gerard’s 1,412 (34.06%).
Hai Ho followed with 486 votes (11.72%), Dennis M. Connor with 194 (4.68%) and Evren Ozbey with 43 (1.04%).
City clerk and treasurer run unopposed
Kimberley Clark received 21,090 votes for city clerk, and Krystle Palmer received 20,451 votes for city treasurer. Each was the only candidate in her race.
Certification of the election results is scheduled for December 8. The City Council reorganization and swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for December 14. The new terms for the three council seats, city clerk and city treasurer run from December 14, 2026, through December 16, 2030.
