Lance Ebarb sees La Center's future as an opportunity to grow without losing the small-town character that attracted him to the community in the first place.
Newly appointed to Position 3 on the La Center City Council, Ebarb brings a background in commercial banking, financial management and economic development, along with experience serving on the city's Planning Commission and volunteering with local organizations. As the city looks toward implementing its updated comprehensive plan, Ebarb said thoughtful growth, infrastructure investments and affordable housing will be among the important issues facing the council.
Ebarb moved to La Center in April 2020 and has steadily increased his involvement in the community. He is active with the La Center Lions Club, volunteering in community service activities, including the Lions Club senior lunch, Giving Tree Scholarship and Chain Gang. He also served on the city's Planning Commission, where he gained experience with the planning process and the challenges associated with development. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Ebarb added representing his city on the council to his list of involvement in the La Center community.
Professionally, Ebarb spent his career in the financial sector, working in consumer finance, the mortgage industry and commercial banking. He previously served as a commercial banker, vice president and finance company district manager, managing employees and navigating volatile business markets.
Throughout his career, Ebarb said he financed approximately $9 billion in mortgage, commercial and business loans, working with businesses ranging from small operations to larger companies.
He believes that experience will help him evaluate the financial implications of development and ensure the city can afford the infrastructure and services needed to support its growth.
"My banking background, I strongly believe in completing the needed due diligence and making a decision because I don't know what I don't know, and if I don't know, I find out," Ebarb said. "And that's through due diligence."
Ebarb said he also has spent time educating himself about municipal government, including attending city council meetings over the past two years and completing La Center University twice to deepen his understanding of city operations.
His appointment to Position 3 followed the departure of former Councilor Sean Boyle. Ebarb had previously considered running for an elected council position but stepped away from that opportunity in May 2025 after learning his son-in-law had brain cancer.
With his family's circumstances stabilizing, Ebarb eventually decided to apply for the appointed position. Before doing so, he sought recommendations from community members, including school district Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz, former Councilor Sean Boyle and former Mayor Jim Irish, along with several local business owners.
Ebarb said the encouragement he received helped him recognize the opportunity to continue serving the community.
"And it was then that I just said to myself, ‘Well, I know I can do it,’" Ebarb said. "And without being elected and having the people vote for me, the best thing I can do is take the 100 or 200 people that know me and they all felt that I could do it, that they would recommend me or endorse me."
Although appointed to the position, Ebarb said he understands the importance of earning the community's support. He will need to declare his candidacy in May 2027 before running for the seat in November 2027.
He said listening to residents will be a central part of his approach to the position.
"Because I talk to people, talking and listening to people is like reading a good book. And most people would just want to be listened to," Ebarb said. "And a lot of times we do a lot of talking and I don't know of a lot of listening. So that's kind of my goal is to, you know, I'll represent you as your voice at city council."
Looking ahead, Ebarb said La Center's economic development will be essential to supporting the city's future. He sees opportunities for commercial businesses near the Interstate 5 junction that could provide employment opportunities and generate tax revenue to help fund city services and infrastructure.
He also pointed to the city's Downtown 2.0 project as an opportunity to create a destination that reflects La Center's identity.
Ebarb said he wants the city to avoid becoming overpopulated or losing the qualities that make it attractive to residents.
"I believe that downtown 2.0 is going to be a great representation of La Center downtown on the waterfront as being a destination location where you can come," Ebarb said. "It'll feel like you're on vacation in a small town up in the woods somewhere out of the big population."
For Ebarb, the question is not simply how much the city can grow, but how it manages that growth and what it leaves for future generations.
"It has to be purposeful. We have to have a real balance of parks,” he said. “We want to connect all our trails together so that you can walk through the whole city … and not have to step on the city streets, you know?"
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring new development pays its share of the costs associated with growth. Transportation and park impact fees, he said, should be evaluated to ensure La Center has sufficient revenue to support roads, parks and other public improvements.
Ebarb pointed to the cost of local road projects as an example of why financial planning matters, noting that improvements to Aspen Avenue and 10th Street can cost $1 million to $2 million.
Beyond economic development, Ebarb identified public safety and transportation infrastructure as significant concerns. With relatively few roads providing access in and out of La Center, he said maintaining and expanding the city's transportation network is important, particularly during emergencies. He also highlighted the importance of continuing the city's relationship with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
Another priority for Ebarb is creating more opportunities for residents to afford homes in La Center. Drawing on his mortgage and banking experience, he said he wants to explore potential partnerships with Clark County, state and federal programs, grants and private donors to help first-time homebuyers.
One idea he discussed involves down payment assistance or a revolving loan program that could help buyers cover costs associated with purchasing a home, including transportation impact fees.
Ebarb said affordable housing will become increasingly important as younger residents and families look for opportunities to remain in the community.
"Because otherwise they're going to all move out of the city and it's going to be a bedroom community like it is now," he said.
Ebarb said he wants La Center to maintain its identity while making decisions that position the city for long-term success.
"People after me will be able to come in and be able to enjoy what we've guided the city to do," Ebarb said. "So, not just the whole development part of it and economic development, but, how we really put it together, it has to be tasteful."
This report was first published by The Reflector Newspaper. Reporter Cade Barker can be reached via email at [email protected].
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