Melissa Huhtala plans to step down this summer

Ashland.news staff report

Ashland City Recorder Melissa Huhtala announced Tuesday she plans to resign from her post this summer.

Huhtala will continue working as city recorder until the end of the city’s fiscal year on June 30. Between July 1 and August 31,  she will continue to hold the office but will have limited availability while she assists the city while a search is underway for her replacement, in accordance with the city charter, according to the announcement.

Huhtala was appointed to the post by the City Council in 2017, then elected by voters in 2018. She was resoundingly reelected in 2022, winning 7,100 votes to just 54 votes for others in the uncontested race. She also served as an administrative assistant to the finance director in Ashland from 2008 to 2011, then as city recorder in Talent from 2011 to 2017. Huhtala is a graduate of Southern Oregon University.

“My tenure as an elected city official has been an incredible experience,” said Huhtala, in a news release. “I have worked hard and been dedicated to the role. I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with my fellow elected officials and the dedicated city staff. I have done my best to serve and help the community in any way possible. I will miss working with all of you, especially the fantastic citizens of this city.”

Mayor Tonya Graham thanked Huhtala for her service to the city.

“On behalf of the City Council and staff, I would like to express our gratitude to Melissa for her dedication and hard work during her time as the City of Ashland Recorder,” Graham said in a news release.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.