Gainesville gets a new mayor Tuesday

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville will get a new mayor Tuesday when the city council holds its annual organizational meeting.

That's when Myrtle Figueras is scheduled to pass the gavel to fellow council member Ruth Bruner.

The mayor's post is rotated among council members every couple of years, based on seniority. Bruner is currently mayor pro-tem.

However, the method of selecting the mayor may be changing. A non-binding referendum was approved last year calling for the mayor to be elected citywide by voters.