Yolanda Trout-Manuel recognized for service, leadership

Published 1:30 am Friday, January 9, 2026

When the Auburn City Council convened for its first meeting of 2026 at 7 p.m. Jan. 5, Yolanda Trout-Manuel was not up on the dais for the first time since 2014.

Trout-Manuel did not run for re-election to her seat in the Nov. 5 election, but chose to run for mayor against incumbent Mayor Nancy Backus, to whom she lost. Her position has been filled by Brian Lott, a first-term councilmember.

The city had planned a longer ceremony in December, but coming as it did in the early days of the recent flooding, Trout-Manuel asked that it be shortened because of the weather and her concern for people trying to drive home in the dark.

“It has been an interesting journey arriving here in Auburn in 2008,” said Trout-Manuel. “At times, this journey was hard and painful. At other times, it was also filled with laughter and positive feelings, as well as being … something I had not done before … Nevertheless, here I am, and here we are.”

Trout-Manuel, the first Latina to be elected to the city council in 126 years, represented Auburn as vice chair of the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Domestic Violence Initiative Regional Task Force, the SCA Children and Youth Advisory Board, the SCA Regional Water Quality Committee, the National League of Cities (NLC) Hispanic Elected Officials (HELO), and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). She received one of 2024 Women of Excellence awards from the National Foundation for Women. Trout-Manuel also serves on the Auburn Prevention Coalition for the Auburn School District.

She was on Auburn’s Planning Commission from 2010-2013, and served on the Auburn Noon Lions Club, where she held the position of King Lion from 2015-2016.

In 2015, she received an Outstanding Award from the local Domestic Violence Task Force for her DVI involvement. She was also honored with the Outstanding Citizen Activist Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety from the Washington Traffic Safety Commissioners because of her work improving safety on Washington’s Highway 12 after her brother was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Eastern Washington. She is the recipient of a Special Achievement Award from the Multiple District Lions Club for her speech on humanity and the President’s Award from the Auburn Noon Lions. She and her husband, Ron, are members of the Auburn Sons of Italy Lodge #1955.

Backus complimented the woman she called “a voice for our community” for her service and presented her with a commemorative award

“Throughout her time here, she has been a steady and thoughtful voice for our community,” Backus said of Trout-Manuel. “Her work has consistently centered on protecting families, supporting children, improving public safety, and ensuring Auburn has a seat at the important regional tables.”

Backus said Trout-Manuel represented Auburn with distinction through the Sound Cities Association committees focused on domestic violence prevention, children, youth and water quality, and also through national organizations such as the National League of Cities .

“Her leadership has also extended well beyond council chambers into schools. advocacy efforts, and regional partnerships that make a real difference in peoples’ lives,” Backus said. “Councilmember Trout-Manuel’s service has always been deeply personal and deeply purposeful.”

“I’m not going to say goodbye as I don’t see myself leaving, or going away permanently,” Trout-Manuel said. “I see myself as recreating and redirecting my next chapter in life. I am excited about it, I really am. I see this moment as an opportunity to express my gratitude to all that have helped me along this wonderful journey, and so I’ll just say farewell, or hasta luego for now.”