Council hears first reading to create deputy city clerk classification, lays item over

Jay Wilmes, director of council operations, gave a staff report for a first reading to establish a deputy city clerk classification in the unclassified service. Wilmes said the role is grounded in prior statutory authorization and would allow the council to appoint and compensate a deputy city clerk capable of exercising statutory duties when the clerk is absent.

Council member Coleman said she supports the position but expressed concern about making it unclassified and asked whether legal incompatibilities would arise if it were a classified (union) position. Wilmes and staff explained that the 1965 special law contemplated a position that could serve “at the pleasure of the clerk,” and that unclassified status aligns with other confidence appointments. Council member Johnson asked whether the hiring could be accommodated within the council operations budget or would wait until the next fiscal year; Wilmes said budget adjustments through attrition or out‑of‑title arrangements are often used but that an analysis would be completed.

Wilmes noted the ordinance is only the initial step; subsequent actions include review by the civil service commission, mayoral signature, posting and a merit‑based screening, and eventual hiring on the clerk’s recommendation. The council laid the item over to a future meeting for public hearing and potential adoption after additional review.