Richland picks longtime planning commission member for open city council seat

A longtime Richland committee member was picked to fill a vacant seat on the Richland City Council.

The council picked Marianne Boring over two other finalists to fill the spot vacated by Brad Anderson after he left in mid-August because of health reasons.

Boring, along with finalists Maria Gutierrez and Theresa Richardson, were interviewed by the council Friday morning.

“Each candidate brought experience serving on Richland’s advisory boards, commissions and committees and/or other community service boards,” the city said in a release announcing the pick.

She’s expected to be sworn in during the Oct. 6 city council meeting and will serve until November 2021 when she would need to run for election to stay in the spot. Boring previously said she plans to run.

Boring is no stranger to city government.

A professional land use planner, Boring joined the city’s board of adjustment in 2001. The board is responsible for reviewing special zoning permits and variances in regulations.

In 2006, she became part of the city’s planning commission, which reviews development regulations and helps prepare plans for growth of the city.

In her experience working with government agencies across the West, Boring learned the importance of planning commissions, city councils and county boards.

She said she enjoyed her time on the two city boards and understands the commitment and dedication necessary to be on the council. Boring said she spent recent years reshaping her business, Allwest Services, to keep her in the Tri-Cities.