Kay Jones honored after more than two decades with City of Cashmere

CASHMERE — City Clerk/Treasurer Kay Jones was recognized by the Cashmere City Council on April 27 ahead of her retirement at the end of the month, closing out more than two decades of service with the city.

Jones, who has worked for the City of Cashmere for 22 years and more than 30 years in public service overall, has been a consistent presence at council meetings, where she has handled financial reporting, documentation and procedural guidance.

Over the course of the meeting, councilmembers thanked Jones for her work and the way she approached it. Councilmember Joyce Williams described her as “a cheerful and welcoming presence in the office,” a tone that reflected how she interacted with both staff and elected officials.

During her time with the city, Jones regularly provided detailed explanations, walking councilmembers through financial data, contracts and procedural requirements. When questions returned to previously discussed topics, she continued to offer clarification and context drawn from her experience.

From a reporting perspective, Kay Jones was somewhat like a councilmember herself, albeit one who didn’t vote or debate. Her knowledge of the inner workings of Cashmere’s City Hall was unmatched, and the authority she brought to the room during council meetings was a source of quiet respect among everyone who worked with her.

“I’m going to miss the people,” Jones said after the formal recognition portion of the meeting. “I’m going to miss the projects.”

Jones said her final week had not fully set in yet.

“It doesn’t seem real,” she said. “I don’t know if it will seem real until next Sunday.”

She said she is looking forward to spending more time at home, particularly working in the yard, and has a trip planned in the coming months. The mention of yard work drew a light moment during the meeting, with Councilmember Chris Carlson joking that she would be welcome at his house if she was looking for more to do.

Throughout her time at the council table, Jones often spoke about her appreciation for Cashmere and the community she served. That connection was evident in both her work and the way she talked about the people around her.

“You guys are very, very blessed,” she told the council, referring to the staff who will continue the work.

Following the meeting, councilmembers, staff and attendees remained to share refreshments and conversation in recognition of her service, marking the end of a long tenure that has shaped the day-to-day operations of City Hall in ways not always visible to the public.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media