background image

Government

Our City
The City of Ocean Shores is a non-charter, code city, organized under the Mayor-Council form of government. The 12.4 square mile City is on a 6 miles long and 2 mile wide peninsula on the Washington Coast.

Like the Federal and State government, the City's government powers are distributed among the three separate branches: legislative (the City Council), executive (the Mayor), and judicial (the Municipal Court). Also like the Federal and State governments, the three branches of City government operate under the "separation of powers" doctrine, where each of the three branches exercises certain defined powers free from unreasonable interference by the others. The three interact with each other as part of the checks and balances system. The powers of these three City branches are defined by the Washington State statute in the Revised Code of Washington RCW Chapter 35.A.12.

Our Elected Officials
The Ocean Shores Mayor and seven City Councilmembers are elected on a non-partisan basis. Each serves a four-year  term staggered so that no more than four Council seats are voted on in one election unless a Councilmember must resign. If there is a resignation, the seat is filled at the next Council election. The Mayor Pro Tem is selected by the Council from its members and serves a two year term. The City Council serves as the community's legislative body, enacting City ordinances, appropriating funds to conduct City business, and providing policy direction.
 
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the City and runs the City on a day-to-day basis. Under the City Code, the Mayor hires employees and selects the City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge, Prosecutor and others.
If you wish to contact the Mayor or Councilmembers, see the contact information below.
 
EMAILS  initial of first name plus last name plus @osgov.com

Transparency
Under the Washington Open Public Records Act, all emails, voice mails and letters to and from the Mayor, City Councilmembers, City employees, and City Board or Commission members are subject to public disclosure, with limited exceptions. The City of Ocean Shores cannot guarantee that email sent to or received from these individuals will remain private under the Act.
If your questions or comments pertain to City services, please email the City Clerk at slogan@osgov.com.