§ 2.28.01. Duties and responsibilities of the city clerk.

A.

The city clerk shall have custody of all the laws and ordinances of the city.

B.

The city clerk shall attend all meetings of the city council and keep a regular and correct journal of the proceedings.

C.

The city clerk is responsible for maintaining an ordinance and minute file for use by the public. The clerk shall enter the ordinance by title on a computerized index of all ordinances to aid the public in their search for specific ordinances.

D.

As keeper of the public's copy of the ordinances, resolutions, and minutes, the clerk shall be responsible for assisting patrons in their search and for making copies of these documents for the public. A fair fee will be charged for this service.

E.

The city clerk is responsible for the preservation of original ordinances and minutes (binding and storage) for future generations.

F.

The city clerk should assist in the preparation of ordinances and resolutions.

G.

It is desirable that the city clerk become familiar with the basic standards governing the validity of ordinances.

H.

The city clerk should develop a working familiarity with Roberts' Rules of Order, the precedence of motions, and statutory voting procedures. However, the city attorney should field questions about parliamentary procedures.

I.

The city clerk must call for and record the votes and establish a clear record of the actions of the council.

J.

The city clerk maintains the official seal of the city and may countersign checks on municipal accounts, although others may be designated as check signers by ordinance of the city council.

K.

The city clerk shall maintain the proper ledger for electronic fund transfers of public officials and employee salaries.

L.

The city clerk, in the absence of the mayor, may conduct the city council meetings.

M.

The city clerk signs all bonds and debentures of the city.

N.

The city clerk receives, files, and retains the Code of Ethics from appointed municipal commissioners.

O.

The city clerk receives, files, and retains the financial disclosure statements from elected officials.

P.

The city clerk serves as secretary to the district judge and clerks' retirement fund.

Q.

The city clerk serves on the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension and relief fund. The clerk is the ex-officio secretary for the board of trustees.

R.

The city clerk's office shall be responsible for the handling of referendum petitions and special elections.

S.

The city clerk's office shall be responsible for handling the paperwork involved in establishing new improvement districts.

T.

The city clerk is responsible for the publication of official notices such as requests for bids, public hearings, ordinances, elections, and improvement districts.

U.

The city clerk prepares a written agenda of the next council meeting and gives it to the governing officials.

V.

The city clerk helps in the administration of the public employees' retirement program, unemployment insurance, and other programs such as tax reports and W-2's as needed.

W.

The city clerk is responsible for getting annexation ordinances, petitions, and election materials to the county clerk's office in Benton for filing at the county and state levels.

X.

The city clerk's office should be the hub of local government. It is the Clerk who is the contact between the citizens and the government. Most complaints are brought to this office.

( Ord. No. 98-25, § 1 )