A city clerk is a government official responsible for managing the administrative functions of a city or municipality. Their duties often include these.
Maintaining public records. The city clerk is responsible for keeping official city records, such as meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other important documents. They ensure these records are accessible to the public.
Facilitating city council meetings. The city clerk prepares agendas, attends meetings, records discussions and helps ensure proper parliamentary procedures are followed. They also draft the minutes of meetings for official records.
Elections management. In many municipalities, the city clerk oversees local elections, including the coordination of polling places, voter registration, ballot preparation and certification of election results.
Issuing licenses and permits. The city clerk often manages the issuance of business licenses, permits (like liquor or event permits), and other city-regulated certifications.
Public information and transparency. As a point of contact between the government and the public, the city clerk handles requests for public records and ensures compliance with public access laws.
Oaths of office. The city clerk administers oaths of office to elected and appointed officials and ensures their official documentation is properly filed.
As we near elections, one of the duties under election management includes absentee ballots. An absentee ballot is a method that allows eligible voters to cast their vote without physically going to a polling station on Election Day. This is typically used by people who are unable to attend in person due to reasons like illness, disability, travel or military service. Voters usually request an absentee ballot in advance, fill it out, and return it by mail or other approved methods before the deadline.
To be eligible for an absentee ballot, you must be a registered voter in Presque Isle. Absentee ballots became available this year on Monday, Oct 7.
If you wish to vote by absentee ballot and have not already requested one, you may do so in one of two ways: 1) To have one mailed to you, call Kim Finnemore, Presque Isle’s city clerk, at (207) 760-2702; or 2) You may come in to pick one up in person at City Hall located at 12 Second St.
To turn in your completed ballot, you may mail it to City Hall, place it in the drop box on the entry steps to City Hall, or deliver it to the city clerk in person. Please make certain to sign the envelope to validate the ballot. The deadline to turn in your absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Another duty of the city clerk is the issuance of certain types of licenses. One type handled by the city clerk is a dog license. Dog registration will start Oct. 15. To register your dog, please visit the tax clerk windows on the first floor of City Hall. You will need to provide a rabies certificate and a certificate of spay or neuter, if you have had that done.
The cost to register a dog who has been spayed or neutered is $6 for the year, and $11 for the year if the animal has not been spayed or neutered. In order to avoid a late fee of $25.00 in addition to the license fees, please register your dog prior to Feb. 1, 2025.
Kimberly R. Smith is the resource development and public information officer for the city of Presque Isle. She can be reached at 760-2722 or via email at ksmith@presqueisleme.us.
