The Yelm City Council unanimously approved Mayor Joe DePinto’s appointment of longtime Yelm resident Kayla Russell to the City’s Civil Service Commission during a council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
According to the City of Yelm’s website, civil service state laws help assure that police officers are recruited through open competition and hired and promoted on a basis of merit.
It also assures that law enforcement officers are demoted, suspended, removed from office or discharged only with cause. The commission consists of three members, appointed by the mayor with council approval, and appointees serve six-year terms.
“Kayla has been involved in the city for a while now,” DePinto said. “She also serves on the parks committee. She’s been involved in different organizations, locally here.”
Councilor Tracey Wood described Russell as a “darn good choice.”
“You’ve found someone that’s truly invested in our community and spending a lot of time with her ear to the ground and finger on the pulse,” Wood said after the appointment. “I commend you on your choice.”
