Working together—role of the city administrator

The mayor is the city's chief executive officer, charged with carrying out the policies set by the council and seeing that local laws are enforced. The mayor is ultimately in charge of the operation of the City (RCW 35A.12).

The city administrator is appointed by the mayor and performs tasks within the statutory authority of the mayor. The city administrator oversees the day-to-day operation of the city, including budget implementation and staff supervision.

Lisa Parks, city administrator

Lisa Parks joined the city in June 2023.  She has more than three decades of working with various local governments on cooperative regional initiatives and executive management of government operations. Parks formerly served as the executive services director for the Port of Olympia. Parks has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University. She was a senior planner with Maul Foster Alongi, in Seattle. Prior to that, she was the executive director of the Port of Douglas County for nine years in Wenatchee, Washington.

Meet the mayor

Role of the mayor

Role of the council

About the City Attorney's Office

The city attorney provides legal support to the city council, mayor, city administrator, and all departments. The City Attorney’s Office represents the interests of the public as a whole and does not represent individuals. The office is strictly prohibited from providing any legal advice and representation to residents in any matter, whether it is civil or criminal. Individuals must retain private counsel for legal assistance or be provided with a public defender.

The Tumwater City Attorney’s Office can be reached at (360) 754-4121.