New Ephrata City Clerk Miller says focus is transparency, community service

EPHRATA — Rob Miller is only a few weeks into his new job as Ephrata’s city clerk, but city leaders say he’s already proving to be an organized, community‑minded addition to City Hall.

Miller, a U.S. Army veteran and former managing editor of the Columbia Basin Herald, said his background in public service and journalism naturally led him to the position.

“Public records is a large part of this position and understanding the importance of transparency,” he said. “The community deserves a government that is transparent… someone who is their neighbor that is in there to provide the information they need so they can enjoy the city they live in.”

Miller was appointed into the role on March 23, during a special Ephrata City Council meeting.

A broad role

The city clerk position in Ephrata also includes administrative services and human resources responsibilities. Miller said the job ranges from preparing meeting documents and processing public records requests to onboarding new employees and helping them navigate benefits.

“I firmly believe that the better you take care of the employees in an organization, the more that organization can do for the folks that it serves,” he said.

City Administrator Ray Towry said Miller’s diverse experience made him stand out among a deep pool of applicants.

“He was the one that had just some of everything,” Towry said. “What it really came down to is the mayor and the interview panel felt he was going to have the shortest learning curve because of all of the things he has done.”

A strong fit, according to city leaders

Mayor Steve Oliver said Miller’s familiarity with Ephrata’s government from years of reporting on it helped make him the top choice.

“We had a bunch of applicants and eight interviews… I found Rob to be just the best fit,” Oliver said. “He was prepared and educated and he actually knew what he was stepping into.”

Oliver said Miller’s organization and communication skills have already made an impression.

“He gets everything done, and he’s punctual and on top of things,” Oliver said. “He explains things very simply… he really fits in well.”

Priorities

Miller said his early goals include learning internal systems, improving public communication and continuing the city’s shift toward digital record‑keeping.

“I really am hoping that we can move even more to digital record keeping… it makes it searchable times faster for records requests or information the community might want,” he said.

Miller said at the last Ephrata City Council meeting April 1, discussion began around setting up a social media policy for the city.

“I think that’s important, to make sure that we’ve got something that governs how we communicate with the world, especially in the age of social media,” he said.

He said he also hopes to support ongoing efforts to address the city’s floodplain challenges, which affect both residents and downtown businesses.

Alongside this, he wants to continue the work his predecessor, Katie Kapalo, started on emergency preparedness planning. Kapalo has a professional service agreement with the city through July 31 to assist with the transition.

“There’s a lovely sense of community,” he said. “It’s a community that knows how to take care of one another.”

Open door policy

Miller said he wants residents to feel comfortable reaching out.

“They’re always welcome to call me or email me or just come in, stop by City Hall and have a visit,” he said. “If they see me in public, say hi. I promise I won’t bite.”

Towry said the city is confident in its choice.

“Rob just rose to the top,” he said. “He’s in the right place.”