Gilbert council selects Chuck Bongiovanni as vice mayor for 2026

By Tom Blodgett
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The Gilbert Town Council selected Councilmember Chuck Bongiovanni to serve as vice mayor for 2026 during its annual organizational meeting, following recognition of outgoing Vice Mayor Bobbi Buchli for her service over the past year.

Before the selection, Mayor Scott Anderson recognized Buchli’s term as vice mayor, thanking her for her leadership and service to the community on behalf of the council and residents of the Town of Gilbert.

In brief remarks, Buchli reflected on her time in the role and her continued commitment to the town.

“It’s been an incredible honor,” Buchli said. “I’ve sincerely enjoyed serving our town, our residents and our local businesses.”

Buchli said she took seriously the trust placed in her by residents and fellow council members and highlighted collaboration among the mayor and council as a key part of the town’s work over the past year.

“Together, we have remained focused on preserving the quality of life our residents have come to expect and value,” she said.

Following the recognition, the council moved into its required organizational business for the new year. Councilmember Jim Torgeson nominated Bongiovanni for the vice mayor position, seconded by Yung Koprowski, and it was approved unanimously by a voice vote.

The vice mayor serves a one-year term and may assume the duties of mayor when needed, in addition to regular council responsibilities.

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Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).