EUGENE — Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann was named the League of Oregon Cities president for 2024 during its 98th annual conference and business meeting Oct. 14.

Drotzmann said the presidency election was two years ago, but the LOC Executive Committee follows an ascension of chairs.

He said he first served as treasurer following that election before ascending to vice president this year. He will ascend to the presidency in 2024 for a one-year term.

According to the LOC website, Drotzmann previously served on the LOC Board of Directors from 2018-20 and was recognized as the LOC legislative advocate of the year in 2019. He rejoined the board in 2022 and has served on it since.

Drotzmann said he’s been an LOC member for the 11 years he’s been Hermiston mayor. Along with serving as vice president of the LOC’s Executive Committee, he is chairman of its Budget Committee and a member of its Tax & Finance Policy Committee.

Drotzmann is also running for the State Senate District 29 seat, and according to a campaign press release, he has focused on giving Oregon cities the “tools and autonomy needed to set their goals and priorities with less state intervention” while on the Tax & Finance Policy Committee.

“The more time I’ve spent working with city leaders across the state, the more I’ve seen that our biggest issue is local control. One size-fits-all, state-mandated solutions don’t work for the balance of our 241 cities,” he said. “I’m committed to continuing to advocate for cities of all sizes and making sure we can learn from each other while retaining the ability to set the best course for our individual futures.”

Drotzmann said his priorities for his year as LOC president will be to get all 12 league regions to hear members’ concerns. “This will also be our policy setting year, so we will be requesting feedback during our policy committees and then voting on a slate of policy recommendations to cities that will then be our platform for the 2025 state legislative agenda.”

His presidential priorities, he said, would include working with the LOC and its partners, investing significant time and financial resources into finding solutions for Oregon cities’ fiscal crises and creating solutions to revenue streams that cities are using to maintain services without cuts to programs.

“It would be ideal if we could get cities to a place where we could be talking about expanded services, but unfortunately too many cities like Hermiston are facing cuts to services, some cities (face) significant cuts,” he said.

According to the LOC website, Drotzmann has served in elected office in Hermiston since 2002, including time on the Hermiston School District Board of Education and as Hermiston mayor since 2012. He also owns and operates Lifetime Vision Source, an optometric clinic in Hermiston with about 15 employees.

Drotzmann has also been actively involved with community organizations such as the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Hermiston Booster Club and youth and high school sports programs.

Between being LOC president, Hermiston mayor, a family man and running a Senate campaign and a business, Drotzmann said he expects to endure long hours and little sleep in 2024.

“Fortunately, I’m surrounded by amazing people that support me,” he said. “I’ve explained to both the city council and the LOC board about my current campaign for Senate, and I’ve asked them to step up in areas that traditionally the mayor or the president would usually be. They have all been super supportive and generous with their offers of time. I’ve also had a team engaged on my campaign from the start that is helping me with scheduling, so I know where/when I need to be for the next 12 months.”

According to its website, the LOC was founded in 1925 as a voluntary association representing Oregon’s incorporated cities. It helps city governments serve their respective citizens by providing advocacy services, policy consultation, intergovernmental relations assistance, networking and training, technical assistance and publications.