On Friday, August 28, 2026, the Manzanita City Council voted unanimously to offer Jennifer Watkins the City Manager position, pending contract negotiations. The Council made its selection after considering four finalists. One finalist withdrew from consideration before the Council began its
deliberations. The finalist evaluation process took place over four days and included receptions with City staff and community members, as well as panel interviews with community leaders, peer public administrators, City staff, and the City Council.
Mayor Kathryn Stock shared, “On behalf of the City Council of Manzanita, I am really pleased to be welcoming Jennifer Watkins to our community. We wouldn’t have been able to reach this decision without the incredible input of our community. Thank you to everyone who participated, who
showed up and listened, and gave us their candid feedback.”
Jennifer Watkins expressed, “I am honored to be selected as Manzanita’s next City Manager. This is a special community defined by its extraordinary and engaged residents. I look forward to working side-by-side with the Mayor, City Council, City staff, and community members to protect what makes Manzanita unique while thoughtfully navigating our future together.”
Jennifer Watkins is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for the Alliance for Rural Impact (ARI) and Principal of LOF, LLC. Ms. Watkins previously served as Plan Facilitation Director for Building Communities, Inc. in Boise, Idaho; Assistant City Manager and Director of Community Development for the City of Baker City, Oregon; and Community Development Specialist/Council Assistant for the City of Baker City, Oregon. Ms. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University.
