Yuma Sun
19 Jan 2025
BY JOSH BOOTZIN Sun STAFF WRITER

Carol Smith, who was elected to the Yuma City Council in 2022, will succeed Chris Morris as the city’s deputy mayor for the 2025 calendar year.
“I am excited to serve in the role of deputy mayor for the City of Yuma,” Smith said. “It is already such a privilege to serve and advocate for our community, and in this role, I know I can strengthen those efforts to represent Yuma. I look forward to continued work with Mayor (Doug) Nicholls and the rest of the council. We have an incredible legacy of leadership in Yuma, and if I get to be a small part of that, I am incredibly honored.”
Nicholls thanked Morris “for his time, effort and dedication” serving in the role of deputy.
“I look forward with enthusiasm to working alongside our new deputy mayor, Carol Smith. I am confident she will bring her own unique skills and expertise to the role while continuing the strong tradition of quality deputy mayors who have served the people of Yuma,” Nicholls said.
Smith strives to promote overall health in the community by working every day to serve Yuma’s most vulnerable populations.
After being raised in Yuma, Smith received bachelor’s degrees in business administration and management from Northern Arizona University and registered nursing from Grand Canyon University. She then completed her master’s degree in nursing from University of Arizona.
Smith joined Yuma Regional Medical Center in 2011 as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff nurse, providing life-sustaining care to sick newborns and educating families on homecare procedures.
Nearly 14 years later, Smith currently serves as a registered nurse and nurse educator for Onvida Health’s NICU, pediatrics and women’s departments.
She is very active in the Yuma community, promoting wellness and advocating for community health education while serving as a governing board member for the Crane School District and a founding member of the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance.
In addition to Smith’s appointment, the council made the following appointments to community boards and commissions for the next year:
Nicholls will serve on the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp. Executive Board and Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Non-executive Committee.
Smith will serve on the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board.
Morris will serve on the GYEDC Board of Directors, Greater Yuma Port Authority Board of Directors and the YCNHA Board of Directors.
Councilmember Arturo Morales will serve on the Western Arizona Council of Governments Yuma County Advisory Board and the YMPO Executive Board.
Councilmember Leslie Mcclendon will serve on the WACOG Executive Board, Yuma Fire Public Safety Board and Yuma Public Safety Police Board.
Councilmember Karen Watts will serve on the YMPO Executive Board.
Councilmember Mark Martinez will serve on the WACOG Council on Aging.