One applies for Grand Coulee mayor

The opening for Grand Coulee mayor netted one candidate, Ruth Dalton, who serves on the city council and has been the stand-in mayor for the last month, since the previous mayor resigned. 

Letters of interest were due Monday, and the council had planned to interview applicants at their June public meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 at 6 p.m. 

However, with the sole applicant already being a member of the council, the council may appoint Dalton as mayor at the June meeting without a formal interview, as allowed under state law, City Clerk Lorna Pearce said. 

Dalton was appointed to the council in February of 2023, to fill a vacancy caused when then-councilmember Mike Horne died suddenly the previous fall.

If appointed mayor, Dalton would serve through the end of 2025. An open citywide election would take place that year: an August primary election if three or more candidates run for mayor, and the general election in November between the top two candidates. 

Dalton did not provide a comment by press time Tuesday, but said she would like to meet with The Star next week to discuss her vision for the remainder of her term, and how the city might overcome challenges, such as recruiting several key staff positions open at city hall. 

City Clerk Pearce said interviews for the open wastewater treatment operator position are happening later this week, and the council will consider appointing Ruth Olmstead, a current public works employee, as interim public works director at the June 25 meeting. 

For the time being, Grand Coulee’s police chief position is filled by Interim Chief Levi Johnson. Two patrol officer positions, and the police records clerk, remain unfilled. 

If Dalton is appointed mayor, it would mean a vacancy in city council position #4, which could be filled by appointment.