Swanson has served as interim city manager since April 22 of this year

In a unanimous vote at the Aug. 5 council meeting, members of the Battle Ground City Council took action to officially name Kris Swanson as Battle Ground’s new city manager.   Swanson has served as interim city manager since April 22 of this year.

Swanson brings over 33 years of experience in public service and has a strong track record of collaborative leadership, innovation and leading initiatives that improve government services.  She began her career in public service in 1991, managing the elections division in the Cowlitz County Auditor’s Office, and later elected to five terms as county auditor, serving from 1999-2017.

In November 2017, she joined the executive team of the Office of the Washington State Auditor in Olympia, leading the state agency’s administrative functions as the director of operations.  She also served as the director of the Center for Government Innovation, a non-audit division of the State Auditor’s Office, dedicated to assisting local governments improve their service delivery and be more cost effective and efficient governments.

Swanson began serving as the director of administrative services for the city of Longview, in March 2020.  She was quickly promoted to assistant city manager and in November 2022, she was appointed to the position of city manager, making her the first female to serve in that role in the city’s history.

“I fell in love with Battle Ground upon my first visit,” Swanson said. “It is apparent that even with the growth experienced over the last decade, Battle Ground remains an ideal community where families, businesses, and the value of ‘hometown’ can flourish.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to work with the City Council and our amazing staff to continue to lead Battle Ground in a positive direction.” 

The city manager is appointed by City Council and, in accordance with the city’s adopted Council-Manager form of Government, serves as the chief executive officer for the city, responsible for developing an annual budget for adoption by City Council and for prudent execution of City Council’s legislative priorities and goals through day-to-day management of city departments.

Swanson will take her ceremonial oath of office during the Aug. 19 Battle Ground City Council meeting.  The meeting will take place at City Hall, 109 SW 1st Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers, beginning at 7 p.m.

Information provided by the city of Battle Ground.