Thursday, May 9, 2019

Municipal Clerks Keep Cities and Towns Running Smoothly

The spotlight does not often shine on city clerks, but the role they play in well-functioning local government is so important that their position is the only staff role that South Carolina law requires of every municipality in the state. All cities and towns, no matter how large or small, and no matter what form of government they have, must have a clerk.

In recognition of their significance, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks marks Municipal Clerks Week every year, and this week, May 5 – 11, is the 50th anniversary of the week. 

Clerks provide notice of council meetings to councilmembers and to the public as well, a critical component of open government. The clerk also keeps the minutes of council meetings. 

The job has evolved substantially with the digital revolution, since the many records that clerks manage have mostly migrated away from paper. Last year, the Municipal Association penned a column for Greenville Business Magazine that brought together past presidents of the SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association to discuss the ways the profession had changed over the years. 

Because of the need for training for municipal clerks, MFOCTA is a cosponsor of the Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute. It’s a three-year program which counts toward the International Institute of Municipal Clerks' Certified Municipal Clerks designation.