Amy Sowa retired as Roseburg’s assistant city manager/city recorder on Friday, March 31, after a five-year stint that capped a career spanning more than two decades and two city governments, the City said in a news release.
Sowa began working for the City of Roseburg in 2018. Last fall, she was honored as “2022 Recorder of the Year” by the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders. Sowa epitomized professionalism and dedication to her job and community.
“We are going to miss Amy Sowa, who has done an excellent job,” said Roseburg City Manager Nikki Messenger. “It is hard to describe Amy’s positive impact on the organization and all that she has accomplished during her tenure. She will be truly missed.”
Sowa grew up in Roseburg and graduated from Roseburg High School in 1976. She began her career in 1999 as an administrative assistant for Springfield Public Schools. In 2001, she joined the City of Springfield as an administrative assistant providing the main point of contact for the City Manager and Mayor’s offices. In 2003, she was promoted to administrative aide/city recorder. She earned certifications as a municipal clerk and master municipal clerk from the Northwest Clerks Institute.
Sowa returned to her hometown to become Roseburg’s city recorder in April 2018. She was named assistant city manager/city recorder in March 2021. She managed all City records, ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts and agreements, elections, business registrations, special permits, licenses, legal and public notices and bids. She also served as clerk of the City Council.
In September, the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders recognized her as “2022 Recorder of the Year.” She was nominated because of the pivotal role she played in the City’s efforts to tackle homelessness, one of the most challenging issues facing Oregon communities. She has helped Roseburg take critical initial steps to address challenges that can easily divide a community.
Sowa made an outstanding contribution to her city by volunteering to take on a special project that was not previously part of her job – nor an ordinary job duty of any staff at the City of Roseburg. She volunteered to become the staff liaison for the City Council’s newly created Homeless Commission and led an educational, exploratory phase as the Council began understanding homelessness and Roseburg’s current level of services.
Mayor Larry Rich described Sowa as “the glue that keeps everyone working together and moving forward to accomplish the goals of the Homeless Commission.”
Sowa also spearheaded efforts to find the right property for the City’s first low-barrier emergency shelter and a nonprofit to operate the facility. At the same time, she researched and wrote municipal code and ordinance updates to support the commission’s and Council’s efforts to address those challenges.
One of the City’s major accomplishments as a result of that work was the June 23 grand opening of the Gary Leif Navigation Center – the City’s first low-barrier emergency shelter with wraparound services – through a partnership with a local poverty-fighting nonprofit, up to $2.79 million in state funding and $300,000 in community grants. The commission also has begun an effort to open an urban campground for unhoused individuals. Sowa provided staff support on that effort and served on the group tasked with considering potential properties.
“She did an outstanding job. She served the City of Roseburg extremely well,” the mayor said. “Amy will be greatly missed and I wish her the best as she begins her retirement days.”
Sowa said she’ll miss her colleagues but is excited to have more time with her husband, fellow Roseburg native Fred Sowa, and their three children and four grandchildren.
“It has been such an honor working for the City of Roseburg, my hometown, and working with people dedicated to making Roseburg a wonderful place to live,” Sowa said. “I will miss everyone I’ve had the pleasure to work with and learn from during my time here, but am looking forward to spending more time with my family in my retirement.”
Former Douglas County Clerk Patty Hitt was hired as Roseburg’s new city recorder on Wednesday, March 1. Sowa has spent the past month training Hitt to take on the new role.
“We are excited to welcome Patty to the team. Her years of experience will help us continue to move the organization forward,” said Messenger.