Battle Ground Council approves 4–3 termination of city manager; 30-day notice set

The Battle Ground City Council on Aug. 5 approved Resolution 26-06, terminating the city manager employment contract and setting the effective date 30 days from the meeting.

Mayor Overholser called for and put the resolution to a roll-call vote that resulted in a 4–3 decision. Council members Munson, Ferrer, Deputy Mayor Vail and Mayor Overholser voted yes; Council members Bowman, Kuipers and McCoy voted no. After the vote the mayor directed the city clerk to "promptly furnish a copy of this resolution to Christina Swanson in accordance with the notice provisions of the employment agreement and applicable law," providing the formal notice and required 30-day timeline.

The measure followed a prolonged public-comment period in which many residents, senior leaders and a pastor urged the council to retain the manager and requested transparency about the decision. The council also separately approved a motion to suspend the city manager from duty effective immediately while continuing salary and benefits until removal becomes effective; that suspension passed by the same 4–3 margin.

Legal counsel had advised earlier that an email sent to council labeled confidential was attorney-client privileged, and Council member Troy asked whether the council could disclose it. The council provided no further public detail about the substance of the grounds for termination during the meeting.

Provenance: The council introduced and debated Resolution 26-06 beginning with presentation of the resolution, the council discussion and roll-call vote recorded in the meeting transcript. The mayor's direction to the clerk to provide notice to Christina Swanson followed the vote.