21 applicants compete for Troy City Clerk post
It might be a sign of the tough economic times or it might indicate a public’s willingness to serve, but when Troy City Clerk Sandra Johnson steps away from her job June 30, there will be no shortage of people who want to fill her shoes.
Johnson, who has said she’s very much looking toward retirement, ultimately will be replaced by one of 21 applicants.
“Oh, I’m ready (to retire). It’s time,” Johnson said.
The field of applicants includes some City Hall savvy potentials, including deputy clerk Tracy Rebo, who has served the city a decade, six as Johnson’s right-hand, go-to person.
Also a candidate is Sandi Sullivan, currently a part-time employee in the clerk’s office, with two stints at City Hall totaling nine years. Sullivan reportedly left a full-time job at a Bonners Ferry casino to become a part-time assistant at City Hall, figuring Rebo would move up and she would then be in position to become deputy clerk.
A third candidate is Troy attorney and accounting specialist Heather McDougall.
Contacted Friday, McDougall confirmed she has applied for the post, and she is interested in the position because, despite having a law degree, she has an undergraduate degree in accounting and has “always been a numbers person; not so much an English person,” she said.
“Some people might be surprised, as being a lawyer may been seen as being more prestigious than being city clerk, and I understand this. It’s just something I would prefer,” McDougall said.
The city clerk’s position pays about $37,000 annually. However, pay for the position is to be reviewed on July 1, and pay could be increased.
Little is known about the other 18 candidates, except these three appear to be the most obvious. Both Rebo and Sullivan are in City Hall and McDougall is a regular fixture at City Council meetings.
During the May meeting, Troy City Council members were asked to act on a successor to Johnson, and Mayor Don Banning, as per city statutes, presented Deputy Clerk Rebo for approval to City Council members. The board returned two “No” votes and two abstentions, and so no action was taken. The “No” votes were cast by Gary Rose and Fran McCully. The abstentions were cast by Phil Fisher and John Clogston.
Attempts were made Friday to reach City Council members and ask them for comments about their votes on the clerk vote. However, messages left went unanswered.
The lack of an approval then opened the doors for the application process that ended June 10 with the 21 applicants.
Troy City Attorney Charles Evans was asked Friday as to the status of those applications in the week since the posting closed. Evans stated the Montana Job Services office was asked to prioritize the applicants by qualifications. Evans was asked whether he has known the agency to previously assist in that sense.
“No, not in my capacity,” Evans said. “On occasion, they do with private employers. However, this should be a city, mayor procedure.”
Mayor Don Banning stated it will be his duty to recommend specific personnel to the City Council, something he did in May to City Council members. Banning said he likely would establish a committee to review and make a recommendation.
“I expect them to narrow the field down to the most experienced,” Banning said. “There is no one who has been eliminated. That’s my job.”
As he continues the process, Banning said he was to meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday with City Attorney Evans.
“I have a couple of questions for him,” Banning said. “For example, I understand there are city ordinances that require residency for department heads, of which this is one. I just want to be perfectly clear about that,” he said.
Results of that meeting were unavailable a press time.
Evans confirmed the City Clerk position is considered the head of the city’s financial division.
Banning said he did not know how long before he anticipated another recommendation to City Council members for the City Clerk’s position. However, he is sure of one thing: Current clerk Johnson is retiring on June 30.
“We’ll get it done,” Banning said.