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Anacortes swears in mayor, council members, two officers and records staff; mayor announces local appointments
Summary
Ryan Walters was sworn in as Anacortes mayor and four council members took oaths; the council also witnessed oaths for two police officers and a records staff member and heard mayoral announcements including appointments to the Skagit Transit board and Anacortes Housing Authority Board.
At the Jan. 5 Anacortes City Council meeting, Ryan Walters was sworn in as mayor and several newly elected or returning council members took oaths of office.
Judge Elizabeth Yost Ned Weske administered oaths for council members Luke Currier, Bruce McDougall, Carolyn Moulton and Anthony Young; each repeated the standard pledge to support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Washington and to faithfully perform the duties of council member for the City of Anacortes. Ryan Walters then took the oath of office as mayor.
Mayor Walters used his first remarks to highlight the city’s fiscal challenges — including sluggish sales-tax growth, sustained inflation and near-zero revenue growth from new construction — and said he would issue an executive order directing staff to cut expenses further, continue a hiring freeze, defer large purchases, and explore revenue-generating investments such as repaving South Commercial Avenue and building a public events facility.
The council also witnessed oath ceremonies for two new Anacortes Police Department officers, Carl Wallace and Benjamin West, and a new records team staff member, Liz Wingard. Police personnel introductions included short biographical notes provided by a department representative.
Walters announced several appointments and recommendations: Carolyn Moulton was named the city’s representative to the Skagit Transit board (a rotating seat), Terry Carol Gillis was appointed to the Anacortes Housing Authority Board through 2029 (council confirmation not required by state law), and the mayor said he recommended Jan Robinson for appointment to the Skagit Ferry Advisory Committee by the Skagit County commissioners. Walters also noted a recruitment for a newly established Skagit County Climate Impact Advisory Committee with an application deadline of Jan. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
During public comment, Suzanne Roner congratulated the new mayor and council members and asked the council to consider restoring a ceremonial Bible for oath ceremonies, saying she had not seen one used at the swearing-in.
