If tradition holds, Gary Singh will be appointed vice mayor after being sworn in today for a second four-year term on the Manteca City Council.

Singh, along with Charlie Halford who was elected to his first term on Nov. 3, will be sworn in during the 5 p.m. special council meeting taking place via Zoom. It can be viewed livestream on the city’s website or on Comcast Channel 97.

Singh earned 16,682 votes and Halford 14,497 votes.

The Manteca council in past years has appointed the council member with the highest number of votes in the previous election — this time Singh — as vice mayor. Then a year from now they appoint the other council member elected in the most recent election, which would be Halford.

Dave Breitenbucher in 2018 was the top vote getter with 9,932 followed by Jose Nuño with 9,377. Breitenbucher was appointed vice mayor two years ago and Nuño a year ago.

The system allows each council member to serve as vice mayor during their four year term.

There is no requirement that it be followed, however.

Singh with 16,682 votes and Halford with 14,497 are the No. 1 and No. 2 all-time vote getters in the 102 year history of Manteca council elections. Mayor Ben Cantu is third on that list after being elected in 2018 with 12,042 votes.

The balance of the final election results the council is scheduled to certify tonight had Debby Moorhead with 8,503 votes, Fred Cunha with 8,278 votes and David Martin Sr. with 5,707 votes. The final tally on the proposed one cent sales tax increase known as Measure Z was 57.84 percent or 17,467against and 42.16 percent or 16,091 for.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, swyatt@mantecabulltin.com