Battle Ground City Council Votes to Terminate City Manager
The Battle Ground City Council in Washington voted 4-3 to fire City Manager Kris Swanson without cause. The decision, made during a special meeting called by the Mayor, has raised questions among council members and residents due to a recent…
Portland, OR, August 6, 2026 —
Battle Ground, WA – The Battle Ground City Council has voted 4-3 to terminate the employment of City Manager Kris Swanson. The decision was made during a special meeting convened by the Mayor.
The vote to dismiss Swanson occurred without cause, a detail that has become a focal point of discussion among council members and the public. The timing of the decision has also drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of a recent performance review for Swanson that was reportedly positive.
Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding the process of calling the special meeting itself. Some council members and residents have expressed concern over the lack of advance notice provided for the meeting where the vote took place. The specific reasons behind the termination, beyond the “without cause” designation, were not detailed in public statements following the vote.
The council’s decision to remove a city manager, especially following a favorable review and with limited public discussion prior to the vote, is expected to prompt further engagement from the community and potentially lead to additional discussions among the council members themselves regarding governance and transparency.
Story summarized from the original created by FOX 12 Staff on www.kptv.com, see more information here.
