Office of the City Clerk

The Municipal Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with the tax collector. 

The early keepers of archives were often called "Remembrancers:' and before writing came into use, their memory served as the public record.

Over the years, Municipal Clerks have become the hub of government, the direct link between the citizens of their community and their government. The Clerk is the historian of the community, for the entire recorded history of the city and its people are in his or her care.

The eminent political scientist, Professor William Bennet Munro, in one of the first textbooks on municipal administration in 1934, stated: No other office in municipal service has so many contracts. It serves the Mayor, the City Council, the City Manager and all administrative departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service or information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versatility, alertness, accuracy and no end of patience. The public does not realize how many loose ends of city administration this office pulls together.

These words, written more than 70 years ago, are even more appropriate today.

The Columbia City Clerk attends all meetings of Council and records official actions, attests and certifies to the correctness of documents executed by Council, and coordinates all general and special election activities with the Richland County Election Commission.

The City Clerk is the point-of-contact for citizens wishing to serve on City boards and commissions by advertising vacancies and receiving and processing all applications.

This office is also responsible for ensuring that City Council, City staff, and interested citizens are aware of issues addressed at City Council meetings by preparing, distributing, and publishing agenda materials, action reports, a schedule of meetings and the approved minutes.

City of Columbia City Clerk's Office Personnel:

Contact Information: