Leslie’s leaving: transition time at Ephrata City Hall

BY RANDY BRACHT

EPHRATA – After nearly three decades of service at Ephrata City Hall, city clerk/finance director Leslie Trachsler plans to retire at the end of March.

“After coming to work at the same place for 28-plus years, it might be a hard habit to break,” Trachsler said last week. “I think I will miss all the wonderful employees that work for the city. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented, compassionate, smart, and passionate people.”

Since her initial hire as a billing clerk in October 1996, Trachsler has worked with multiple mayors, starting with Diane Recknagel to her current boss, Bruce Reim. During that tenure, she moved into the position of city clerk, then the added responsibilities of office manager, finance director, and secretary for the Civil Service Commission. She has also served as a representative to the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce and Grant County Disability Board.

“I like to stay busy and engaged,” said Trachsler, adding that she wants to continue doing so even in retirement. She intends to remain in Ephrata, but plans to spend some time visiting family members who live outside the area, stay active in her church, and possibly do volunteer work.

And, who knows, she added with some exclamation, “Maybe even run for city council!”

A reception to honor her years of service is planned Friday, March 28, from 4-6 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center.

Reim called Trachsler the “go-to person” – not just in city hall, but to clerks and auditors from other outside jurisdictions – because of her extensive knowledge and experience.

“Throughout the many decades of Leslie’s dedicated service to the people of Ephrata, the one mainstay is that she provided consistent accountability,” said the mayor, adding, “All this with an open and willingness to share while wearing several ‘hats.’”

Both Reim and Trachsler referenced some “lean years” when revenues and expenses challenged city officials to achieve a balanced annual budget as required by state law. During one of those lean years, it appeared that personnel layoffs were imminent. But the city’s union employees and non-union staff all agreed to forego salary increases and council members suspended their monthly stipends to help balance the budget “and keep from having employees lose their jobs,” said Trachsler.

“I was proud of how staff chose for everyone to lose something so that no one had to be laid off,” she said.

The responsibilities and workload in the positions of both city clerk and finance director have increased over time – to the point where they are no longer a one-person job, said Reim. 

“It was evident that one person could not do what Leslie did,” he said. 

Consequently, said the mayor, the process of defining the separate roles began evolving with the change made last summer. In June, Kristen McDonnell took over responsibilities as city finance director. A month later, Kaitlin Kapalo was hired as city clerk and administrative services manager, which incorporates human resources and communications responsibilities. 

McDonnell is a graduate of Washington State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration after majoring in both accounting and human resource management. She previously worked for Principal Financial Group and Cintas Corporation. 

Kapalo graduated from Big Bend Community College with a bachelor’s degree in applied management and previously worked for Granco Federal Credit Union. 

Both lauded Trachsler for her knowledge and mentorship during their initial months at city hall.

“Ephrata has been truly fortunate to benefit from Leslie’s exceptional expertise and attention to detail over the years,” said McDonnell. 

Said Kapalo: “Leslie has done an outstanding job laying the foundation for Ephrata’s success.” 

Both Kapalo and McDonnell are Ephrata High School graduates; so is another “new” face at city hall – customer service representative Mallory Lotz. 

Exemplifying Trachsler’s character, said Reim, all three bring a “welcome positive attitude” and provide a foundation to serve the Ephrata community into the future.