(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council will act on three resolutions about the city clerk’s position during its regular meeting on Wednesday.
Atlantic City Administrator John Lund says that, with Laura McLean’s resignation as City Clerk, an Acting City Clerk must be appointed. Under the Iowa Code, the City Clerk and Mayor are the only two positions required for a city to exist. As Deputy City Clerk, Rich Tupper is the logical choice to serve as Acting City Clerk. This same approach was taken in 2024 when former City Clerk Barb Barrick departed to accept a position with the City of Huxley. The City Administrator recommends approval.
Lund says that, due to changes in the individuals occupying the Office of the City Clerk, the City Council must update the authorized signatories for city checks and payables. This is a routine action necessary for the Finance & Administration Department to continue issuing payments from city funds. The City Administrator recommends approval.
The City Council will also decide on approving a new professional services agreement with Barb Barrick to temporarily provide city clerk consulting services for the City of Atlantic.
Lund says at the March 19, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council agreed to enter into a consulting agreement with former City Clerk Barb Barrick to assist the new City Clerk with orientation and duties specific to serving as a City Clerk in the State of Iowa. That agreement included bank reconciliation services for FY 2025 and was completed successfully within the required timeframe.
With another transition in the Office of City Clerk and the continued need for specialized expertise to correct and reconcile issues within the city’s accounting software, a new professional services agreement with Barb Barrick is necessary. Key components of the new agreement include:
- $1,000 per fiscal month reconciled
- $1,000 for entry of the FY 2027 Budget into gWorks and the State of Iowa online budget forms
- $125 per hour for City Clerk mentoring services (same rate as the original contract)
- Continuation of the contract if both parties agree that additional assistance is necessary, eliminating the need for amendments or extensions
John Lund says the Finance & Administration Department and the City of Atlantic are incredibly fortunate that Barb Barrick is willing to continue providing these services. The City Administrator recommends approval.
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
