Municipal Clerks Week: May 5 – 11, 2019
May 5 – 11, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Municipal Clerks Week. In 1984 and 1994, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, respectively, signed a Proclamation officially declaring Municipal Clerks Week the first full week of May each year and recognized the essential role Municipal Clerks play in local government.
One of local government’s oldest positions is the Municipal Clerk. Although a Clerks duties have expanded over the years, “The true worth of the Municipal and Deputy Clerk is often not realized,” said International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) President Stephanie Carouthers Kelly, MMC, and City Clerk for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. “But Clerks perform some of the principal functions of the democratic process."
A Clerk’s main function is to serve as the council’s foundation. Other duties include, but are not limited to, preparing agendas, taking minutes, maintaining ordinance and resolution files, keeping the municipality’s historical records, processing permits and serving as the clearinghouse for information about the local government.
They also record the actions of the various commissions and committees appointed by the council. Many serve as financial officers or treasurers and, in small municipalities, may act as chief administrative officers. Another important responsibility is administering part or all of the local election functions.
The administration of an election is often taken for granted. But in reality, Municipal Clerks work for months to organize and prepare this key element in the democratic process, which must be done properly in order for the whole democratic process to be effective.
Additionally, because government is constantly changing, Clerks must stay current of changes in order to advise their council and inform their community.
Don’t forget to thank your Municipal Clerk for all the things that you know they do, as well as the numerous things you don’t know they do.
To learn more about Municipal Clerks Week and the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association go to, www.azclerks.org.
