Gard named Arkansas Clerk of the Year

Fort Smith Clerk Sherri Gard was named the Municipal Clerk for 2012 by the Arkansas Municipal League.

Part of the nomination application included the following paragraph from City Administrator Ray Gosack, who nominated Gard: “Sherri is an excellent communicator. She coordinates with the mayor, city board members, the city administrator, the city attorney, county election officials, candidates for office, bond attorneys, city department heads, and many others. Sherri is highly responsive to inquiries from the public, and excels at dealing with the media.”

Gard has served as city clerk for a year and a half, and was previously the assistant city clerk for 14 years. Gard also served in a number of volunteer capacities in state-wide professional city clerk organizations and is the immediate past president of the organization.

The city clerk’s function is to accurately record and maintain records leading up to board meetings, keeping a record of all actions passed, overseeing the video recording of each regular meeting, and many other duties critical to maintaining legal compliance with state laws and ethical relationships with citizens, vendors, elected officials, candidates, and other members of city staff.

The city of clerk position for the City of Fort Smith is an appointed position. Gard serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.