2025 City Council Appointment

Applications will be available on Monday, September 29 and must be received by October 10 at 5:00pm

City Council Vacancy

The City of Wilsonville will be accepting applications from eligible candidates with a desire to serve on the Wilsonville City Council.
 

Why is there a vacancy?

On September 22, Councilor Katie Dunwell submitted her resignation from the Wilsonville City Council, effective immediately.  The applicant appointed to fill the vacant seat would serve the remainder of her term, through Dec. 31, 2026.

How is a vacancy filled?

According to Chapter VII, Section 30 of the City Charter, “vacancies in elective offices of the city shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the incumbent membership of the Council.”

By what process will the Council make the appointment?

At a special meeting of the City Council held on Thursday, Sept. 25, the Council decided on a process, application questions, factors that the Councilors are to consider when reviewing applicants, and timeline for appointing the successor to former councilor Katie Dunwell. To be considered, an applicant’s materials must be received by the City Recorder no later than 5 pm on Friday, October 10. Applicants may apply online, by mail, or in person at City Hall (29799 SW Town Center Loop E.). Paper applications will be provided upon request.

If you would like to mail in your application, you may send it to:

City of Wilsonville
Attn: City Recorder
29799 SW Town Center Loop E
Wilsonville, OR 97070

What evaluation considerations are the Mayor and City Councilors using ?

1. Has demonstrated commitment to the community through prior service. Examples may include participation on City boards and commissions, government task force or board of directors for a non-profit organization or graduate of the City’s Civics Academy.

2. Understands and is committed to fulfilling the workload of being a Councilor, and will commit to fulfilling the term, and intends to run for the position after that.

3. Understands and is committed to principles of Good Government, and all that means.

4. Willingness to listen and learn before forming policy opinions and positions.

5. Values diversity in geographic experiences, gender, ethnicity, and age in planning and providing for the present and future in our community, including in our schools.

6. Contributes to geographic distribution of Council member representation.

7. Understands and is knowledgeable with Council goals, policies, and legislative agenda.

8. Commitment to uphold Oregon Government Ethics Laws, as well as the Wilsonville charter, laws and Council decisions; and understands Oregon’s statutory financial disclosure requirements contained in a Statement of Economic Interest.

9. Understands that all presented materials and representations will be subject to independent review and verification and that this appointment is an open and transparent public process.

10. Understands that if selected, any false statements, omissions or misrepresentations may result in immediate disqualification or dismissal.

Who is eligible to apply for service on City Council?

The Wilsonville City Council is a non-partisan body. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, registered voters, and Wilsonville residents for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the appointment date. No person shall hold an elected office of the City if the person is an employee of the City.  

What steps must applicants take to be considered?

• Candidates must meet eligibility requirements above.
• Application must be completed and signed. 
• Application must be received by City Recorder by 5 pm on Friday, October 10, 2025.
  •  Application (Available September 29)

Note: Members of the City Council are required to file an annual Statement of Economic Interest with the State of Oregon.

What does the City Council do?

Responsibilities of the City Council include identifying problems and needs within the community and establishing community goals and objectives to meet those needs. Council members represent the City's interests regionally and participate in planning and budgeting.

What time commitment is required of City Council members?

Typically, the City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. Other meetings, including Budget Committee Meetings, also occur periodically. Preparation for regular meetings requires familiarity with staff reports and appendices that are included in the packet of information provided to Councilors in advance of each meeting. Councilors typically have other responsibilities as City ambassadors, including representing the City on additional boards or committees and participation at public meetings, grand openings and events. 

Timeline:

September 29: Application Period Opens

October 10:  Applications must be received by City Recorder by 5 pm.

October 13: Eligible applications provided to the Mayor and City Council to review individually.

October 16:  Each City Councilor will identify their top three candidates, ranking them 1, 2, and 3, though Survey Monkey by 8:00pm (Rankings to be included in City Council Packet) 

October 20: If a consensus candidate emerges, Council will consider that candidate for appointment.

October 24: If Council does not reach consensus, Councilors will complete a second round of rankings identifying the top two candidates from those identified in the first round. (Rankings to be included in City Council Packet)  

November 3 : If consensus is reached. Council will consider that candidate for appointment. 

If no consensus is reached, the top three choices identified by Council will be invited to present themselves at the November 3 Council meeting, where Council will make a final appointment by majority vote. 

December 31, 2026: Expiration of Term