Sequim City Council member Jennifer States notified the City on February 18 that she will resign from the City Council effective February 25. States has been promoted at her position with DNV GL and Washington Maritime Blue and will be moving to the Seattle area, making it impossible to perform her duties as a City Council member.
States has served on the City Council since 2018. She was appointed to a vacant position January 8, 2018, and voters elected her to a new term starting January 1, 2020.
Council member States said collaboration has been key to the accomplishments achieved during her time on the City Council.
“I am driven by my passion to create a sustainable future from an economic and environmental perspective through collaboration. In my time serving in this position, I can point to many instances where we were able to collaborate as a Council and community. For example, the partnership with Clallam PUD to build a solar array and electric vehicle chargers in Sequim. The rooftop solar project that will be built on the Civic Center with the support of Washington State Department of Commerce grant funding. And the many times the Council was able to move difficult issues forward working together with the dedication and support of our excellent team of professional staff,” States said in her letter.
Council member States is the only woman serving on the Sequim City Council, and she is hopeful another woman will be interested in her position.
“It is my hope that another highly capable woman will step up and be appointed to this position,” States said. “Your perspective and service are needed at this time, and I encourage anyone who is thinking about applying to do so. I will offer to continue to serve as a mentor, if desired, for anyone who steps up.”
City Manager Charlie Bush said Council member States will be hard to replace. Her thoughtful and balanced approach was an asset to decision-making on the Council, he said.
“I have really enjoyed working with Jennifer over the past two years,” said Bush. “We are all very appreciative of her service to the City and the entire Sequim-Dungeness Valley community. We wish her all the best.”
The vacant Sequim City Council position will be filled by appointment of the City Council. Applicants must be registered voters of the City of Sequim, have a one-year continuous period of residence in the City of Sequim, and hold no other public office or employment under the city government. Interviews for the vacant position will be conducted by the City Council at a regularly scheduled or a special meeting. These meetings are held at the Sequim Civic Center located at 152 W. Cedar Street.
Further details concerning the position and the recruitment process will be released at a later date.