New Ephrata City Clerk Focuses on Transparency and Community Service

Rob Miller, a former journalist and U.S. Army veteran, brings diverse experience to his new role as Ephrata's city clerk.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:49am

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A serene, painterly depiction of a city hall building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of civic duty and community connection.The new city clerk aims to bring a spirit of transparency and community service to Ephrata's local government.Ephrata Today

Rob Miller was recently appointed as the new city clerk of Ephrata, Washington. With a background in public service and journalism, Miller is focused on increasing transparency, improving digital record-keeping, and supporting the city's ongoing efforts to address issues like floodplain challenges and emergency preparedness.

Why it matters

The city clerk position plays a crucial role in local government, overseeing public records, administrative services, and community engagement. Miller's commitment to transparency and community service aligns with Ephrata's goals of providing responsive and accessible government to its residents.

The details

In his new role, Miller will be responsible for a range of duties, from preparing meeting documents and processing public records requests to onboarding new employees and helping them navigate benefits. He plans to prioritize moving the city's record-keeping systems to a more digital format, which he believes will improve searchability and responsiveness to community inquiries.

  • Miller was appointed into the role on March 23, 2026, during a special Ephrata City Council meeting.
  • Miller's predecessor, Katie Kapalo, has a professional service agreement with the city through July 31, 2026 to assist with the transition.

The players

Rob Miller

The new city clerk of Ephrata, Washington, with a background in public service and journalism. He is focused on increasing transparency, improving digital record-keeping, and supporting the city's ongoing efforts to address issues like floodplain challenges and emergency preparedness.

Ray Towry

The city administrator of Ephrata, who said Miller's diverse experience made him stand out among a deep pool of applicants.

Steve Oliver

The mayor of Ephrata, who said Miller's familiarity with the city's government from years of reporting on it helped make him the top choice for the city clerk position.

Katie Kapalo

The previous city clerk, who has a professional service agreement with the city through July 31, 2026 to assist with the transition to the new city clerk.

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What they’re saying

“Public records is a large part of this position and understanding the importance of transparency. 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.”

— Rob Miller, City Clerk

“He was the one that had just some of everything. 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.”

— Ray Towry, City Administrator

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

— Steve Oliver, Mayor

What’s next

Miller said he hopes 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, 2026 to assist with the transition.

The takeaway

Rob Miller's appointment as Ephrata's new city clerk signals the city's commitment to transparency, community engagement, and responsive government. His diverse background and focus on digital record-keeping and emergency preparedness planning suggest he is well-equipped to serve the needs of Ephrata's residents.