Alex Yost resigns from Washougal City Council, citing ‘personal and professional reasons’

Washougal City Council member Alexandra “Alex” Yost has resigned from her position, effective immediately. 

Yost, who told The Post-Record she stepped down for “personal and professional reasons,” announced her resignation during the council’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 6. 

“It was a difficult decision to make, but ultimately the right one for me,” Yost said. 

Appointed to replace former city council member Joyce Lindsay in the spring of 2018, Yost – then a community organizer and chef-owner of the now-defunct OurBar in downtown Washougal – described herself as “a liberal inclusive.” 

Yost ran unopposed for her Position 4 city council seat in the Nov. 5, 2019 general election, and garnered 96 percent of the vote, with 4 percent of voters preferring write-in candidates.  

Yost owned and operated OurBar in downtown Washougal from 2012 to 2020. She now works for the Washougal School District and is pursuing certification as a career technical education instructor. 

On Monday, former Washougal mayor and current Washougal City Council member Molly Coston said she appreciated everything Yost has done for the city. 

“Alex, you and I have had a special relationship. You definitely represent a younger generation, a generation that’s going to be governing Washougal in the future,” Coston told Yost during the Dec. 6 council meeting. “I do appreciate everything you’ve done for the city council as a younger representative, a woman, a business owner, a mom, all of those things that are unique to you. You are such a thoughtful person, and I will definitely miss you on the council.”

Coston added that she hoped Yost would continue to push city leaders to consider new ideas. 

“I appreciate everything that you brought forward to us. Maybe we didn’t always accept the sum of the concepts that you brought to us, but I do think they are important, and I hope you’ll continue to push us to move forward into the future,” Coston said. 

Washougal City Manager David Scott said city officials will begin to search for Yost’s replacement this week. 

“Our rules call for the clerk to advertise for the vacancy for at least three weeks, and given that we’re approaching the holiday season, my suggestion would be that we leave that solicitation open until after the first of the year and close it somewhere in the first week of January,” Scott told council members on Monday. 

Scott said council members may conduct interviews with potential city council candidates at the council’s meeting on Jan. 10, 2022.  

“I believe that would be a great meeting for you to conduct some interviews as part of your regular business,” Scott said. “And, theoretically, you could even make an appointment (that night).”