The City Manager, who has been Scott D. Staples since 1992, is in charge of the fire and police departments, libraries, parks and recreation, public safety, public works and other support services. As the chief executive officer of the City, the Manager also hires personnel, enforces laws, prepares the budget and supervises the City's daily operations. Other towns in Walla Walla County have a mayor-council form of government as defined by township rules. The Northern border is the Snake River, and the Southern border is the Oregon stateline. Landscape ranges from rolling wheatfields to wilderness areas in the Blue Mountains.
Agriculture is a major industry in Columbia County.
Specifically, wheat, peas and asparagus are grown in abundance. Other large employers include Seneca Foods Corporation, Bluewood Ski Resort, Dayton General Hospital, Columbia County and the Dayton School District. There are two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school in the county. This is probably due to the fact that agricultural jobs often do not require higher education and are plentiful in the region. More statistics can be found at the U.S. Census Website.