Oak Harbor names Christina Hines as HR director; council adopts code changes to standardize employment agreements

Oak Harbor — The City Council unanimously appointed Christina Hines as the city's Human Resources director and approved two code amendments to standardize employment agreements for department directors.

City Administrator Sabrina Combs summarized a competitive recruitment that drew 21 applicants, with five selected for interviews and two finalists advancing to a second round. Combs described Hines as bringing experience in conflict resolution and personnel management.

"Christina Hines was selected from a robust applicant pool and brings experience in conflict resolution and personnel management," Combs said.

Multiple councilmembers praised the choice. Councilmember Romero moved to confirm the mayor's appointment of Christina Hines and to authorize the mayor to sign the employment agreement; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote. Hines thanked the council and said she was excited to serve Oak Harbor.

At the same meeting the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2044, which re-titles municipal code Chapter 2.40 to the Community Development Department to harmonize departmental names, and Ordinance 2045, which amends code sections to include the human resources director among the listed management positions subject to employment agreements and explicitly align the HR director under mayoral supervision.

City Attorney Hillary Evans said the ordinances address prior inconsistencies in who was covered by employment agreements and seek uniform administration across department heads.

What’s next: The mayor will execute the employment agreement and staff said a press release and a public bio will be shared to introduce Hines to the community.