MARYSVILLE — City Councilmember Carmen Rasmussen announced that she is resigning her position on the Council effective Dec. 31 because she is moving outside of city limits.

“I have greatly enjoyed the time I have spent on the Council, and will always cherish the fond memories I have of my colleagues and friends in the city,” said Rasmussen. “I am proud of the work that we have done in Marysville and I am glad for the chance to have made a difference in this community.”

Mayor Jon Nehring said that Marysville is losing a strong advocate for parks and recreation, public safety and community engagement. “Carmen has a true passion for this community and provided a valuable perspective to our City Council,” said Nehring. “She will be greatly missed and leaves a legacy of community service.”

Rasmussen was appointed to the Council in December 2005 to fill a vacancy, and was then subsequently elected to the Council in January 2008 and November 2011. She served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, chaired the Marysville Fire District Board of Directors, and also served on the Cable TV Advisory Committee, Government Affairs Committee and Marysville Healthy Communities Leadership Committee.

Legacies of Rasmussen’s policy decisions while serving on the Council are visible around the community today, including State Avenue improvements; Ingraham Boulevard; 156th Street I-5 overpass, Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park and plenty of additional parks and walking trails; the Healthy Communities initiative; a retail boom and more robust sales tax base; and a strong partnership with the Tulalip Tribes.

Stepping down from the Council became necessary when her husband, Darin, a Lieutenant and 22-year veteran in the Marysville Police Department, accepted the position of Assistant Chief of Campus Security at Western Washington University in Bellingham. The community-minded couple raised their two children, Andrea and Chris,

Carmen is a Program Coordinator for The Family Center of South Snohomish County, a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

The City Council will discuss the application and selection process for filling the vacant seat at their next work session on Monday, Jan. 7.