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Council names five residents to Cottage Grove budget committee
Summary
After interviewing applicants, council appointed Johanna Z, Linda Olson, Joyce Settlemyer, Christopher Wagner and Ryan Birdsey to five citizen budget‑committee seats with staggered terms; council discussed recusals and the upcoming budget‑committee schedule.
The Cottage Grove City Council appointed five resident members to the city's budget committee following a series of interviews. City Manager Sauerwein said five positions were open (three three‑year terms, one two‑year term and one one‑year term) due to recent resignations.
Councilors individually listed their top candidates from the applicant pool and discussed recusal practices. One councilor said she had chosen not to participate earlier in the selection process because a family member had applied; staff clarified that that would not necessarily create an actual conflict under Oregon ethics law but that recusals were a personal choice for transparency.
Councilor [mover recorded in transcript] moved and the council seconded a motion to appoint Johanna Z, Linda Olson and Joyce Settlemyer to terms expiring Dec. 31, 2028; Christopher Wagner to a term expiring Dec. 31, 2027; and Ryan Birdsey to a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The budget committee includes citizen members who review departmental budgets, attend the town‑hall meeting staff described and help recommend a budget to the council; several applicants emphasized continuity, public engagement and practical experience as reasons to serve.
Ending: Staff will distribute budget notebooks to committee members in advance of the first budget‑committee meeting and hold a town‑hall forum for public input before final committee recommendations.
