MELFORT — Marley Seymour has been hired as the new city clerk for the City of Melfort, taking the role over from Heather Audette.
Seymour is experienced in municipal government, having worked for two-and-a-half years as an assistant to the clerk in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, Man. Before taking that role, she worked as a corrections officer for 13 years in the province.
“I like the order and the legal portions of the municipal administration and it was a good opportunity to make a career change, so I took it,” she said.
“I find it exciting and I like to help people and be involved in the community. It’s a good way of being involved and being up-to-date on things.”
She is currently in the process of completing her municipal certificate, which is the basis of training to be a municipal administrator.
“There’s always a want for advancement, but I’m looking forward to learning this position and moving forward.”
The city clerk is responsible for administering the city’s legislative obligations, including the preparation of council and committee agendas; recording the proceedings of council and committees and communicating the decisions of council; the custody and maintenance of all bylaws, minutes, corporate records and the corporate seal of the city; payroll and benefit administration; as well as conducting civic elections acting as returning officer.
Audette was appointed to the role in Melfort during 2000, but has been working in municipal government since 1985 and the City of Melfort since 1992.
She attended her last council meeting on Aug. 9, mentoring Seymour who began her role on Aug. 3. She’s now entering retirement.
“Like I always said, the most satisfying career in municipal government is seeing change happen at a grassroots level,” Audette said, adding that she can’t isolate just one highlight.
“There has been so much change and it’s just interesting with each individual council seeing them set their own priorities, and then as administrative staff how we work through implementing them as a team.”
