Council appoints Rob Ferrer interim city manager; contract negotiations to follow

After voting to terminate and suspend the city manager, the Battle Ground City Council discussed interim leadership and moved to appoint deputy city manager Rob Ferrer as interim city manager effective immediately.

Mayor Overholser proposed Rob Ferrer as the first and obvious option and said Ferrer had previously indicated a willingness to serve. Ferrer told the council the appointment "is courses dependent on negotiation of terms," and the council instructed legal and HR to draft an interim contract. Council members also mentioned considering Megan Lowry or a department head if Ferrer declined.

The motion to appoint Ferrer passed 5–2; the clerk noted Deputy Mayor Veil voted nay. Council members said their rationale included preserving institutional knowledge and reducing staff turnover during an active infrastructure project. The city will negotiate terms for an interim contract and return to the council for finalization as required.

Provenance: Discussion of interim options and Ferrer's conditional acceptance are recorded in the transcript from the introduction of interim options through the appointment vote.