Ron Onslow resigned Position 1 on City Council effective January 10, 2025
Ridgefield City Council member Ron Onslow resigned Position 1 on City Council effective January 10, 2025. State law provides that City Council shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position within 90 days. The term for Position 1 will expire in 2025.
The vacancy appointment process is now open.
At the time of his resignation, Ron Onslow was serving as Mayor. In Ridgefield, citizens elect at-large Council members to four-year terms and Council members select members to serve as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem at the first Council Meeting of every even numbered year. Since Mayor Onslow resigned in the middle of the Mayoral term, the Council will select a new Mayor at their next regular meeting on Thursday, January 23.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to be appointed to the Ridgefield City Council, candidates:
- Must have continuously resided within the Ridgefield city limits for a minimum of one year prior to appointment to the Council; and
- Must be a registered voter in the City of Ridgefield.
- Be willing to serve on Council until the 2025 election results are certified in December.
- Attend and participate in a Town Hall Public Forum and Interview Process with City Council.
HOW TO APPLY
- Complete the “Application for Appointment to City Council” including the questionnaire, upload of letter of interest and upload of resume including employment and volunteer experience.
- Submit the application no later than 4:30 PM on January 29, 2025.
- If invited, attend the Town Hall facilitated interview on February 20 and City Council Interviews on February 27.
Begin the application process here.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The City Council serves as the legislative body of the City and is responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, adopting laws, and determining the services to be provided and the funding levels for those services. All members of City Council have an equal vote on policy decisions.
Regular City Council meetings occur at 6:30 PM on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (first and third Thursdays in November and December due to holidays). From time to time, City Council will meet prior to the regular meeting for a “Study Session.” Study sessions do not have to follow a formal agenda, the purpose of study session discussion is to allow Council members to be made aware of impending business and allow informal discussion of issues that might be acted on at a future regular session meeting.
Other regular meetings and activities may include briefings with the City Manager, community meetings with liaison assignments, greater Clark County meetings, ribbon cuttings, and other community events. Some travel is expected locally, regionally, and/or within the State of Washington.
The duties of a City Council member will likely involve an average minimum commitment of 18-24 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at various meetings and community activities.
2025 City Council Duties and Compensation (PDF)
Ridgefield City Council Professional Code of Conduct (PDF)
Listen to a City Council Meeting
APPLICATION PROCESS
The timeline for filling the Council vacancy is as follows:
- January 29, 2025: Applications due to City Clerk by 4:30 PM. Start Application
- January 30-February 7, 2025: Council will review applications to determine candidates who will move forward in the process.
- January 30-February 20, 2025: Residents may suggest interview questions to be used during the Town Hall and/or candidate interviews.
- February 20, 2025: Town Hall Public Forum – Facilitated interview to introduce candidates to Ridgefield residents and give them the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions about what they would do if appointed to a City Council position. Residents may attend and provide observations about the candidates after the forum. Details
- February 27, 2025: During a public study session, City Council will interview candidates. During the regular session, Council will appoint a new Councilmember. The New Councilmember will be sworn in and attend the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest, resume, and questionnaire. Interested candidates can complete their application online at https://lf.ridgefieldwa.us/Forms/Council-Application
RESIDENT PARTICIPATION
Ridgefield community members have three opportunities to participate in the selection of a new City Council member:
- Provide questions for use during the Town Hall Public Forum. Questions may be submitted online at www.RidgefieldRoundtable.org. Deadline to submit questions before the Public Forum is 4:30 PM on February 19.
- Attend the Town Hall Public Forum on February 20 at 6 PM and provide follow up observations about the candidates to City Council via email. The Town Hall can be attended in person, or online via Zoom. Details
- Observe the interviews during City Council Study Session on February 27 and, if desired, provide public comment regarding the candidates prior to appointment.
ABOUT CITY COUNCIL
The City Council consists of seven members who are elected by the citizens of Ridgefield on a non-partisan basis for four-year terms. Elections are arranged so that three or four terms expire every two years. Council members have the responsibility of establishing policy to govern the City, adopting a budget for city revenues and expenditures, and performing all other actions necessary to govern the City, including the passage of ordinances and resolutions.
City Council Agendas and Minutes
City Council Goals
City Council Meeting Audio Recordings
City Council Members and Information
Information provided by the city of Ridgefield.
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