Sweet Home council appoints Police Chief Jason Ogden as city manager, administers oath

The Sweet Home City Council on the evening’s agenda unanimously approved Resolution No. 7 (2025) to employ Police Chief Jason Ogden in a dual role as city manager and police chief.

The council approved “option 3,” which adopts Resolution No. 7 (2025) as proposed; the motion carried with seven yes votes and no nays. The council later administered the oath of office to Jason Ogden, with Mayor Coleman reading the oath and Ogden repeating it.

The resolution and employment contract were included in council packets. A staff member who introduced the item told the council that Ogden “did rise to the top as the top candidate” following a recruitment that began in October 2024 after the prior city manager left in August. The same presenter said the packet included a resolution and a contract to employ Ogden in the dual role.

Mayor Coleman read the oath, beginning: “I state your name. Jason. Do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution and the laws of The United States and of the state of Oregon, the charter and ordinances of the city of Sweet Home, and to the best of my ability, I will faithfully perform the duties of city manager during the period for which I am appointed.” Ogden repeated the oath and was welcomed; councilors and staff thanked him and his family for attending.

The vote was recorded as seven yeses and no nays. The record shows the council moved on to other agenda items following the swearing-in.

The action completes the council’s formal appointment process for the city manager position and places Ogden in the dual role of police chief and city manager under the terms specified in the council packet.