Residents may apply for appointment to the City Council post vacated by Doug Knauer’s resignation

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news 

Ashland is accepting applications for the Ashland City Council seat recently vacated by Doug Knauer. 

Applications are due by 5 p.m. May 15 and can be submitted online, according to a news release from the city. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews with Mayor Tonya Graham and Councilors Bob Kaplan, Gina DuQuenne, Eric Hanson and Jeff Dahle. 

Interviews will be conducted through May 31. The official appointment will take place at the June 3 City Council business meeting, according to the post. The new councilor will serve through Dec. 31, 2026. 

Two qualifications are spelled out in the city charter. The individual must reside within the city limits of Ashland and be registered to vote in the city of Ashland. 

The seat became vacant when Doug Knauer resigned during the April 15 City Council business meeting, as reported by Ashland.news. 

Knauer expressed love for Ashland and for serving as a councilor but said some serious family concerns necessitated giving up his office. His resignation was tendered “effective immediately,” and he left council chambers after delivering his remarks to a standing ovation from his fellow councilors and Mayor Graham. Knauer was elected to Position 1 with 66.55% percent of the vote in the Nov. 2024 election, as reported by Ashland.news. 

For help with the application or more information, the post provides contact information for the city recorder at [email protected] or 541-488-5307. For general inquiries about the city or the council, potential applicants are directed to contact City Manager Sabrina Cotta at [email protected], 541-488-6002. 

Additional information about the City Council is available online. Applicants can also watch presentations about city operations through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SOU.

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].