Washougal City Council appoints David L. Szyplinski to fill Position 5

The Washougal City Council appointed David L. Szyplinski to fill the vacant Position 5 seat following the death of longtime council member and former mayor Molly Coston.

Council Position 5 became vacant on November 18, 2025, following the passing of former mayor and longtime council member Molly Coston

The Washougal City Council has appointed David L. Szyplinski to City Council Position 5 during its regular meeting on January 26, 2026.

Council Position 5 became vacant on November 18, 2025, following the passing of former mayor and longtime council member Molly Coston. In accordance with the City Council’s Rules of Procedure and Washington State law (RCW), the City initiated a public appointment process to fill the vacancy.

Szyplinski is a long-time Washougal resident with more than 35 years of professional experience in business development, project management, budgeting, and strategic planning. He served on the Washougal Planning Commission for 6 years, where he has participated in multiple subcommittees reviewing development proposals, public input, and city regulations. His background also includes extensive experience in construction and development, as well as prior public service as a firefighter and leader in civic and nonprofit organizations. During his interview, he stated he is committed to advancing Washougal’s infrastructure, strengthening community development, and ensuring public safety for current and future residents.

The appointed term will run until the results of the November 2027 election are certified, approximately three weeks after Election Day. Council Position 5 will be included in the 2027 council election cycle, with the elected individual serving the remainder of the unexpired term through December 31, 2027, followed by a full four-year term from 2028 through 2031.

The city accepted applications over a three-week period from December 30, 2025, through January 20, 2026. A total of 12 qualified candidates submitted applications and were considered through a public interview process conducted by the City Council. The appointment process was overseen by Finance Director Daniel Layer and concluded with the Council’s appointment of Szyplinski on January 26.

“We were encouraged by the strong response to this appointment,” said Mayor David Stuebe. “I want to thank everyone who applied and expressed interest in serving. The number of applicants reflects the deep civic pride in Washougal and the willingness of our residents to step forward and be involved in their local government.”

Information provided by the city of Washougal.