City of Battle Ground
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News Releases
City Manager Erin Erdman
City Manager Erin Erdman
Battle Ground City Manager Announces Resignation (Photo) - 03/27/24

After 10 years of service to the City of Battle Ground, City Manager Erin Erdman has announced her resignation effective April 19.

“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,” said City Manager Erdman.  “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 joined the City in 2014 as the Community Development Director.  Ms. Erdman began serving as the Interim City Manager in October 2018, before officially being appointed to the role in a unanimous vote by the City Council, in April 2019. 

During her tenure, Ms. Erdman was influential in the development of a community-wide vision designed to chart the direction for the City’s future, balancing the priority of growth while maintaining our hometown feel.  The City’s Vision and Strategic Action Plan set the stage for the City’s Land Use Master Plan, Transportation Improvement Plan, and various Sub-Area Plans. 

With overwhelming support from voters, the City saw the successful passage of the Fire District 3 Annexation in 2021 under Ms. Erdman’s leadership as City Manager. The Fire Annexation helped to reduce the City’s general fund budget expenses by $3.5 million and resulted in the decrease in utility taxes for our water, sewer, and stormwater customers while also allowing the reallocated funding of other planned improvements to the City’s public safety, roads, parks, and trails.     

As City Manager, Erman led the City through the global COVID-19 pandemic, just a year after her appointment.  Her management and leadership skills were critical, providing the guidance necessary to ensure the continued health and safety of our community. 

Ms. Erdman’s resignation comes following her recent acceptance of the City Manager position with the City of Kennewick, Washington. 

“The Council and I offer our sincere appreciation for Erin’s leadership, dedication, and numerous contributions to the City of Battle Ground,” said Mayor Troy McCoy. “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.”

Ms. Erdman stated, “I want to thank City staff, from the bottom of my heart.  I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together.  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.”

The Battle Ground City Council will discuss the next steps for the recruitment and hiring process of a new City Manager.  

Attached Media Files: City Manager Erin Erdman
Battle Ground City Council Opposes Proposed FRDU Expansion - 03/19/24

On Monday, March 18th, the Battle Ground City Council approved a resolution urging the immediate cessation of the proposed and future expansion of the Freight Rail Dependent Use (FRDU). 

The resolution cites the negative impacts the FRDU would have on quality-of-life issues in Battle Ground, including the following:

  • Decreased property values in residential neighborhoods adjacent to the rail lines;
  • Adverse vehicular and pedestrian impacts caused by train traffic, as well as the delayed response of emergency service providers; 
  • Proximity of the rail line to City amenities enjoyed by the public, such as the Community Center, the Bike & Skate Park, and the sports fields at Fairgrounds Park, as well as potential safety hazards for surrounding business and residences; and
  • Increased noise caused by train traffic, which would have a negative effect on surrounding residential neighborhoods. 

Many railroad crossings located in Battle Ground are at-grade and not properly signalized.  The reactivation of the rail line would require capital improvements costing a substantial amount of tax-payer funds, resources that the Council believes would be better used elsewhere. 

“We [the City Council] see potential in developing the railroad for tourism related uses, celebrating the history of the railroad and the beauty of our region,” said Mayor Troy McCoy.  “The proposed reactivation of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad for industrial use would have long-term adverse effects on our city’s economic health and livability. It is for these reasons the Battle Ground City Council is compelled to speak out against this project, on behalf of our community.”

Card Skimmer
Card Skimmer
Card "Skimmer" Discovered at Walmart, Battle Ground (Photo) - 03/04/24

On March 3, 2024, employees of the Walmart store located in Battle Ground reported the discovery of a bank card “skimmer” attached to a payment terminal at one of their registers.  Illegal card skimmers are known to read/store/access/obtain information encoded on credit/bank cards without permission from the owner.

Store employees stated that it is possible the skimming device could have been in place as early as 6:00am on March 3, until 10:45pm when the device was discovered. 

Battle Ground Police suggest that anyone that made a purchase at the Walmart store during this timeframe, check their financial records.  If you suspect your financial information has been compromised, please call 3-1-1 to file a report.   

The Battle Ground Police Department is continuing to work with Walmart to identify a suspect in this case.  We thank the Walmart employees for reporting the incident quickly, likely preventing additional victims. 

Consumers are reminded to remain vigilant when using card payment terminals:

  • Always be aware of the devices that you use and if they seem suspicious, immediately report it to an employee.
  • If you think that your card(s) have been compromised, check your financial records, and contact your financial institution for advice.
  • Check your credit report if you believe that someone has fraudulently opened a credit card in your name.

Attached Media Files: Card Skimmer