The Auburn City Council appointed Councilmember Cheryl Rakes as deputy mayor for 2025 at its meeting Dec. 16.
Rakes won the post by a 4-3 majority vote over fellow Councilmember Tracy Taylor.
“For me, Auburn’s home. Auburn’s my town. Being in Auburn over 60 years gives me the insight (into) what Auburn is, and what Auburn residents would like to see. In my adult years of business and community work, I’ve always been in leadership positions. With that, I’ve traveled to different states to take leadership classes in how to be an effective leader,” Rakes said.
Rakes has led the Downtown Auburn Cooperative since 2019. She began serving on the city council in 2023, filling a vacancy left by former Councilmember Chris Stearns when he joined the state Legislature. She was elected to the council later that year.
“Deputy Mayor Rakes has roots that stretch deep into Auburn’s past,” said Mayor Nancy Backus. “She comes into this role with a wealth of knowledge, ready to represent Auburn in every way she can.”
For those who may not know exactly what a deputy mayor does and what the position’s duties are, Backus read from the council’s rules and procedures as follows:
• The deputy mayor shall preside over council meetings in the absence, or unavailability of the mayor, and in the event of a prolonged absence or incapacitation of the mayor that lasts longer than two weeks, or a state of disability that prohibits the mayor from carrying out his or her functions and duties, perform the mayor’s duties.
• In the event of a disaster, emergency or other circumstance when the mayor is out of town and unable to carry out his or her duties, the deputy mayor, or interim deputy mayor, in consultation with the mayor will act as mayor until the return and availability of the mayor.
• Preside over the council’s study sessions.
• Designate the council special focus area chairs and vice chairs, designate special focus area assignments, and work with the chairs on special focus areas of the study sessions over which the chairs preside in order to reinforce special focus area topics.
• With support from the city attorney and or city clerk, ensure that councilmembers are aware of the requirements and limitations related to the Open Public Meetings Act.
• Serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of all ad-hoc committees of the council.
• Help with new councilmember training, including facilitating a read-through of council rules and procedures to them and a member of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Support cooperative and interactive relationships among councilmembers.
• Work with the mayor and administration to prepare for council study sessions.
Rakes has lived in Auburn since 1960, when her family moved down from Bellingham so her father could accept a job at the old Auburn Fire Department. He retired from there in 1980 as a captain. Rakes attended Auburn schools and graduated in 1973. She then enrolled in Mr. Lee’s Beauty School and Knapp College of Business and took a few classes at Green River College.
Rakes has served the Auburn community as executive director of the Downtown Auburn Cooperative since 2019, working directly with small businesses. In her free moments, Rakes enjoys spending time with her husband, Shawn, their three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She also enjoys all kinds of crafts, such as sewing and crocheting.
“I’m ready to get started,” said Rakes.
