Citing an out-of-state move to be closer to family, Berry steps down after two years in city leadership position
By Damian Mann for Ashland.news
Ashland Finance Director Mariane Berry is the latest high-level city official to resign.
Berry, a 25-year Ashland resident, submitted her letter of resignation on July 24, citing the need to be closer to family in Washington state.
Her resignation comes two years after she was hired as finance director.
In Berry’s resignation letter to City Manager Sabrina Cotta, she states, “It is with mixed feelings that I offer my resignation as Director of Finance & Technology, effective August 18, 2025. I had looked forward to continuing my work with the city for years to come. However, my husband and I have made the necessary decision to move back to our home state of Washington to be closer to aging parents and provide certain opportunities for our teenage daughter.”
Bryn Morrison, deputy finance director, will be the interim director as the city conducts a competitive hiring process for a new director, according to Dorinda Cottle, the city’s communications officer.
Berry currently receives a salary of $154,252.75, according to the latest salary schedule posted on the city’s website.
The salary range for a new finance director is $141,148.80-$173,617.60, according to Cottle.
Berry listed the recent accomplishments of her department in her letter.
She said the city received a high credit rating from Moody’s, which provides credit scores for municipalities and cities.
The city has increased interest income by 300% over budget that helped with wildfire mitigation efforts, Berry said.
The city has a “healthy” financial outlook with solid cash and ending fund balances, Berry said.
Improvements have been made to Ashland Fiber Network, the city’s “community-owned” infrastructure and internet service provider, that led to a “record-breaking number of subscribers,” she said.
A federal Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act loan will help fund the relocation and construction of a new water treatment plant, she said.
The city has changed to improve everything from cyber security, utility billing, and has helped secure a rural energy savings program that provides low-cost energy savings to residents.
The city received a Government Finance Officers Association award for its 2025-2027 budget and an excellence in financial reporting award for the past two years from GFOA, which is an association of governments in Canada and the U.S.
Berry said the Finance Department is on a path to establish long-term financial goals for the city, solidifying the budget process and providing mid-budget reporting.
“I remain faithful to the City of Ashland by ensuring a smooth transition for my team and the organization as a whole and can make myself available for questions as needed post-transition,” she stated.
Leadership turnover
Berry was not available to respond to further questions about her resignation.
“She won’t be able to return your call, as her final days with us are extremely busy,” Cottle said.
Berry’s departure comes on the heels of putting together another difficult budget for the city, a budget that included raises for staff, particularly management staff, that drew the ire of some residents and created a schism among councilors.
In the past five years, the city has seen turnover in administration.
Former City Administrator Kelly Madding resigned in 2020, and she was replaced by former City Manager Joe Lessard, who resigned in 2023. The city had undergone a change in governance when Lessard was hired, changing the city administrator position to city manager.
In 2023, Julie Akins, mayor; Shaun Moran, city councilor; and Michael Black, Parks & Recreation director, resigned. In April, Doug Knauer, a city councilor, stepped down.
Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at dmannnews@gmail.com.
Aug. 17: Added link to Mariane Berry’s resignation letter.
