PRESS RELEASE - City of Sweet Home Announces New City Manager-Select

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2024

CITY OF SWEET HOME ANNOUNCES NEW CITY MANAGER-SELECT

The City of Sweet Home is pleased to announce City Council’s intent to vote on the appointment of Jason Ogden, current Sweet Home Police Chief, as City Manager commencing March 13, 2025. Chief Ogden brings a wealth of experience with nearly 30 years of service in the Sweet Home Police Department, beginning as a Police Officer in 1997. He also served as City Manager Pro Tem from August 2024 to February 2025. The Mayor and City Council selected Chief Ogden as the top candidate based on his education, experience, and track record of success in his career trajectory with the City. Ogden will serve in a dual City Manager/Police Chief role, keeping his departmental expertise available to the City while providing a fiscally advantageous arrangement to the City through salary savings.

Chief Ogden’s achievements to date include planning and executing long-deferred maintenance and updates to the Police Department, enhancing the Department’s wellness program to ensure the health and well-being of officers, strengthening collaboration with Sweet Home School District, and securing funding for body-worn camera technology enhancements. He also deftly led the City through the 2024 Green Peter Drawdown with a proactive emergency declaration and communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that led to a halt of that year’s drawdown.

Speaking of his future role as City Manager, Ogden stated: “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to step into this role and continue serving the community that took a chance on me as a young officer more than 27 years ago. Sweet Home has always been more than just a place to work – it’s a community I care deeply about. I look forward to leading with the same dedication and commitment that has guided me throughout my career, working alongside our Council, staff, and residents to keep Sweet Home moving forward.”

Mayor Susan Coleman, when asked of City Council’s upcoming vote, said: “On Tuesday, after a seven-month hiring process, the City Council will consider offering Jason Ogden the role of City Manager. In the time that he served as the City Manager Pro Tem, his willingness to fight for our community and be transparent are notable. His leadership skills have been apparent while he has managed the Police Department as the Police Chief. His qualifications and experiences have demonstrated his ability to lead the entire City well.”

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PRESS CONTACT:

Cecily Hope Pretty
Sweet Home City Manager Pro Tem
541-367-8969
cpretty@sweethomeor.gov