Soap Lake council excludes police chief from civil service, adopts Ordinance 2025-1346

The Soap Lake City Council voted unanimously on March 19 to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-1346, amending the municipal code to exclude the Chief of Police from civil service. The motion (M/Carson, S/Gorman) carried without dissent.

Supporters at the meeting said the change aligns the city's hiring practice with most other municipalities and would permit an executive-level employment agreement for the chief. Council discussion noted that the Civil Service Commission will remain in place even after the ordinance takes effect. Several residents spoke during public comment to oppose the change. Resident Burr Beckwith said removing the chief from civil service “would deter a future candidate from applying as they would be an at-will-employee, without protection from the Civil Service.” Raymond Gravelle expressed similar concern, saying the adoption “would have a negative impact on any future Chief of Police candidate.”

The ordinance was discussed as part of the council’s new-business agenda and is numbered 2025-1346. The council record does not specify an effective date in the motion; the Civil Service Commission was described as continuing in existence. The measure passed by roll call as recorded in the minutes. The council did not record any amendment to the ordinance on the floor; the full text will be entered into the municipal code as amended.