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City of Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy recently earned an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).
AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in five core areas:
- Roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements
- Public sector resource management
- Community planning and development
- Effective local leadership
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Those who earn the advanced certificate have continued to strive for excellence by attending conferences and trainings, serving their community, and further developing leadership skills.
“Being a city leader in Washington is a complex job,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “Through our Advanced CML program we are providing our elected officials with the knowledge they need to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds, foster strong relationships, and work to build more equitable communities.”
To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, McCoy completed more than 60 hours of training and demonstrated local community service.
McCoy was elected to the Battle Ground City Council in November 2021. He began his two-year term as Mayor in January 2024. He previously served as a member of the Battle Ground Education Foundation and the Battle Ground Public School District Board of Directors.
AWC serves its members through advocacy, education, and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington’s 281 cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. AWC also provides training, data and publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium.
The office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) recently completed its financial, federal program, and accountability audits of the City of Battle Ground. The city received clean audit reports with no issues reported.
The independent audits covered the city’s 2023 fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The accountability audit examines and reports on how the city manages, uses, and safeguards public resources. The financial statement audit examines and reports on whether the city’s financial statements are accurate and complete and comply with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements. The federal single audit ensures the City is following federal regulations and grant agreements.
“We are proud to receive a clean audit report which validates our city’s ongoing commitment to operate with integrity, transparency, and efficiency,” said Interim City Manager Kris Swanson. “This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff, management team, and City Council and our ongoing commitment to accountability and fiscal responsibility while serving our community with excellence.”
The SAO’s audit reports for the City of Battle Ground as well as the city’s 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, are available on the Financial Reports page of the city’s website.
On July 11, 2024, the Battle Ground Fire Marshal’s Office issued a total burn ban in the city limits of Battle Ground due to high temperatures and dry conditions.
All outdoor burning, including recreational fires, are prohibited within the city limits effective immediately. Recreational fires include campfires, fires in outdoor fireplaces or chimney-type devices, and outdoor cooking with charcoal or other solid material are not allowed during this total burn ban.
Cooking outdoors in an approved propane barbecue is permitted, currently.
Residential burning and land-clearing burning of vegetation, yard debris or branches is always prohibited within Battle Ground city limits per BGMC 8.10.040(b).
The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice. Updated information will be posted to the city’s website at www.cityofbg.org/Fire-Marshal and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofbgwa.
The City of Battle Ground will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, for several much-anticipated improvements to Kiwanis Park.
The project will bring several enhancements to the park located at 422 SW 2nd Avenue, which includes the installation of a new covered picnic shelter, six pickleball courts, covered basketball court, and replacement of several light posts on the east side of the park property.
Picnic Shelter: Originally installed in 2006, the existing open top gazebo was removed from Kiwanis Park on June 26th to make way for the new closed top picnic shelter. The new structure will provide shade and shelter from the weather, while the open-sided design will provide park goers with better visibility of surrounding park amenities.
Pickleball Courts: The six pickleball courts be installed at the southeast corner of the park, where the basketball courts are currently located. Boosting the appeal for year-round use, a covered shelter, complete with lighting, will be constructed over the courts to shield players from the elements while providing adequate lighting as they play.
Additionally, a wall and additional trees will be planted along the south edge of the pickleball courts, better insulating the nearby neighborhood from sound emanating from the courts. Preliminary plans for a mural to be placed on the sound wall will be prepared and considered by the City’s Parks & Community Engagement Advisory Board (PACE) and City Council at a future date.
Basketball Court: A brand new, covered, basketball court will be constructed at the northeast corner of the park. Like the pickleball courts, the new basketball court will include lighting to ensure adequate visibility for parkgoers. Although the installation of the new basketball court structure will require the removal of the existing horseshoe pits, careful consideration was given to the design and placement and no trees will need to be removed to accommodate this new park feature.
Lighting: Included in this project will be the replacement of fifteen (15) outdated or damaged light poles in various location on the east side of the park property.
In addition to the improvements at Kiwanis Park, the City Council has approved funding to install a similar picnic shelter in McConnell Park, located at 918 NW 25th Avenue. The $1.2 million dollar project is fully funded by the City’s General Fund and Park Impact Fees.
“This investment in our City’s parks represents the Council’s commitment to creating and maintaining a sense of place for our residents and enhancing the quality of life here in Battle Ground,” said Mayor Troy McCoy.
A majority of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Due to procurement delays, the lighting portion of the project is expected to carry into the beginning of 2025. Sections of the park may be restricted from public access throughout the course of construction. Additional information and ongoing project updates are available on the City’s website at www.cityofbg.org/ParkProjects.