Battle Ground will soon be looking for a new city manager following Erin Erdman’s resignation. The city announced that Erdman resigned from her position as city manager, effective April 19, in a March 27 news release.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the City of Battle Ground, a city I have come to love both professionally and personally,” Erdman said in the news release. “I want to thank the City Council and the citizens of Battle Ground for entrusting me with this responsibility for the past five years, providing me the opportunity to grow professionally.”
Erdman began her career in Battle Ground as its Community Development Director in 2014. She was brought on as interim City Manager in October 2018, and was appointed to the role in a unanimous decision by the council in April 2019, according to the news release.
Erdman charted the direction of the city’s future, accounting for growth while maintaining Battle Ground’s hometown feel, the release stated. Erdman also navigated the challenges of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic one year following her appointment.
Erdman’s contributions led to the passing of Battle Ground’s annexation of Fire District #3 in 2021, the release stated. The annexation saved $3.5 million from the city’s general budget for other city improvement projects and brought about the decrease in utility taxes for residents, according to the release.
Erdman will be serving as city manager for Kennewick, Washington following her departure in April.
Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy thanked Erdman upon receiving her notice of resignation.
“The [City] Council and I offer our sincere appreciation for Erin’s leadership, dedication, and numerous contributions to the City of Battle Ground,” McCoy said in the news release. “I wish her well and hope she knows the incredible influence she has had in this community. The City of Kennewick is lucky to have her.”
Erdman thanked city staff for their hard work and contributions to Battle Ground.
“You [city staff] are truly an impressive and dedicated group of hard-working individuals. I know the City will do great things because it has great people behind it,” Erdman said in the news release.
Battle Ground City Council will be briefed on the recruitment process of a new city manager by staff in an April 1 meeting. The council may decide to hire an interim city manager to fill the vacancy before April 19. This story will be updated in a following edition of The Reflector.
