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Clatsop County commissioners reappoint Quila as chair; Banks named vice chair
Summary
After debate about rotating leadership, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners elected Chair Quila to another term and selected Commissioner Courtney Banks as vice chair in roll-call votes that split along familiar lines.
Chair Quila was reappointed as chair of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner Courtney Banks was elected vice chair during the board’s organizational session, actions that followed a wide-ranging discussion about leadership rotation and the board’s public role.
The vote came after several commissioners urged discussion about whether the chair should rotate to give newer members firsthand leadership experience. Commissioner Thompson said the board should consider rotating roles and moving meetings around the county to “share the power” and to ensure every district feels heard. Chair Quila and other supporters argued continuity and an experienced meeting chair preserved efficiency and relationships with staff and external partners.
Why this matters: The chair and vice chair set meeting procedures, enforce rules and can call special meetings or executive sessions under the county charter. Those functions affect how the board manages contested land-use and budgeting topics that the county faces this year.
Board debate and outcome Commissioner Thompson, citing long experience, urged rotation of leadership and greater attention to geographic equity. “I really appreciate the amiable demeanor and the smoothness with which you work through the agenda,” Thompson said, but added that the board should consider sharing the position more widely.
Commissioner Banks and Commissioner Banks’s supporters emphasized trust and continuity. Commissioner Banks was nominated for vice chair in the same session; supporters said she brings “a measure of grace” and strong relationships across the county and state.
The board voted by roll call to elect Quila as chair. The clerk recorded votes as: Courtney Banks — aye; Commissioner Thompson — nay; Commissioner Anthony Wakulya — aye; Commissioner Webb — aye; Chair Quila — aye (4–1).
For the vice chair position, the board approved Banks by roll call with the tally recorded as: Chair Quila — aye; Commissioner Thompson — nay; Commissioner Wakulya — aye; Commissioner Webb — nay; Commissioner Banks — aye (3–2).
What the charter says Under Section 4 of the Clatsop County Charter, adopted and referenced by the board at the start of the session, the board “shall designate a member as chair and another as vice chair” at the first regular meeting each year. The chair presides at meetings, enforces rules and has authority to preserve order, set the order of business and call special meetings or executive sessions. The vice chair assumes the chair’s duties when the chair is absent.
Next steps and context Commissioners said the leadership discussion will continue informally and at a planned board retreat. Several members reiterated the board’s statutory responsibilities and the need to balance efficiency with broad engagement across Clatsop County.
Ending: The board moved on to its regular agenda after the organizational votes and a flag salute. No additional leadership nominations were offered after the roll-call votes.
