The year 2025 proved to be a tumultuous period for North Plains City Hall, marked by significant leadership changes and ongoing debates surrounding city growth. This Oregon news year brought a series of leadership vacancies, further complicated by the complexities of municipal governance. The year began with a new council, but political dynamics quickly altered the leadership landscape, leaving officials to spend considerable time filling vacant seats at North Plains City Hall.
The city, home to about 3,600 residents, experienced tensions since late 2023. A plan to annex 855 acres was approved then. This would more than double the city’s size. A May 2024 referendum rejected this expansion. Voters opposed it by a wide margin. This prompted a re-evaluation of growth strategies and highlighted the challenges of urban growth boundary expansion.
Navigating Leadership Changes at North Plains City Hall
In January 2025, new officials took office at North Plains City Hall. Mayor Ariel Goodwin was sworn in, a political newcomer. Three new council members also joined: Aaron Dumbrow, Mandy Hagedorn, and Katie Reding, who ran on a “smart growth” platform challenging the prior expansion plan. An existing council seat was already vacant, and Michele McCall-Wallace was appointed to it. Only one member remained from the previous council, underscoring the significant leadership changes.
Mayor’s Medical Leave and Resignation from North Plains City Hall
By summer, the city lacked a clear leader. Mayor Goodwin informed staff in June that she was undergoing care in Los Angeles for an undisclosed medical condition, having been absent since late April. Her leave caused council concern, and calls for accountability grew. In mid-July, Goodwin resigned. City charter rules mandate in-person presence, and her out-of-state care made continued service impossible, creating another vacancy at North Plains City Hall.
The mayor’s seat remained open for months. The city charter requires council appointment, a process that proved difficult. In September, the council deadlocked after meeting for hours to pick a new mayor. A familiar rift appeared between those favoring experience and others seeking fresh voices. The debate centered on candidates like former Mayor David Hatcher, representing experience, and newcomer Mark De Forge, offering a fresh perspective. The North Plains City Hall council could not reach a decision.
A New Mayor for North Plains, But Seats Remain Empty
Later, Council President Aaron Dumbrow stepped forward, signaling his intent to seek the mayor role. In November 2025, the council acted, appointing Dumbrow as mayor in a 4-0 vote. He ran on a “smart growth” platform and will serve out Goodwin’s term, which extends to 2028. This appointment aimed to bring some stability to the leadership at North Plains City Hall.
Council Turnover Adds to Instability at North Plains City Hall
Council instability continued. Michele McCall-Wallace resigned in October, citing collaboration challenges and an “environment of distrust.” Her departure created another vacancy. Dumbrow’s move to mayor opened a second seat. As 2025 ended, North Plains City Hall was still short-handed, with two seats needing to be filled. These appointments were planned for late December and early January, highlighting ongoing city council debates.
The Lingering Shadow of Growth Near North Plains City Hall
The controversial 855-acre expansion plan remained a key issue, despite voters decisively rejecting it in May 2024. However, the city continued studies stemming from a 2022 grant application from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Concerns surfaced about growth pressure, including industrial development, as grant language suggested a push for this. City Manager Bill Reid clarified that no new urban growth boundary proposal existed and the city was still examining the scope of growth, a study linked to the grant. This ongoing examination of Oregon city growth strategies continued to be a point of discussion for North Plains.
Community Voices and Future Outlook for North Plains City Hall
Residents voiced persistent concerns, questioning leadership’s vision and distrust lingering from prior growth battles. The council’s internal divisions reflected this. North Plains faced a pivotal year, navigating leadership changes and wrestling with its future development. The city sought a new path forward, involving finding common ground and unifying the council and residents. The city must define its growth, which will shape its identity. The news from North Plains, Oregon, shows a town seeking stability and a community demanding a say. The pursuit of growth continues, its direction remaining a subject of debate. The actions taken in 2025 set the stage, defining challenges for the future. North Plains faced a year of significant change, with its future remaining under discussion and the function of its North Plains City Hall evolving.
