Schroeder swears in

WASHINGTON — Newly elected at-large Washington City Council Member Ken Schroeder took his oath of office Tuesday night, swearing in before the start of a council meeting.

It’s the first time Washington’s had someone in every council member’s chair and the mayor’s office since February of 2023, when then-mayor Jaron Rosien took an unpaid leave of absence leading to his resignation a year later.

“We are, for the first time in a year and a half … almost complete,” Mayor Youngquist said as she called the meeting to order, motioning to the vacant seat of the Washington city clerk. “We’re getting there.”

The recently filled roles of mayor, city administrator and now council member represent a return to normalcy in the municipal body’s chambers, rocked by several destabilizing changes in leadership so far this year.

Rosien’s resignation in February led to a special election in April, putting Youngquist in the mayor’s chair long-term after spending over a year as mayor pro tem. The vacancy of her former council seat opened the door for Schroeder’s election earlier this month.

Meanwhile, City Administrator Deanna McCusker resigned for personal reasons over the summer, now replaced by Joe Gaa a few weeks ago. And City Clerk Amanda Waugh was terminated in June, after council members said she wasn’t fulfilling the duties of the job.

The back-to-back departure of so many decision-makers had some officials urging community members not to panic earlier this year.

“Many in the public, I’m sure that they would read or see that there’s been a number of changes here over the last six months, since the beginning of this year,” Council Member Patrick Morgan said in July. “This can happen anywhere. This can happen in the professional sector, it can happen with city government, as you’re seeing. So I hope no one’s reading into it.”

Schroeder, for his part, offered few comments at the council meeting. He said he was still getting familiar with city policies as he entered the elected role.

“Well, I’ve been doing a lot of reading!” he said during an informal once-around before the meeting adjourned. “Some of it’s not too exciting, but I’m getting through it. And after I’m done doing that, I’m sure I’ll come ask a lot of questions.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com