With the departure of longtime City Clerk and Administrator MaryLou Rainwater, Truesdale has elevated City Treasurer Elsa Smith-Fernandez to succeed her as the head of the city’s administrative office.

Aldermen voted unanimously to appoint Smith-Fernandez as the next city clerk on Sept. 27. Her first day in the new role was Oct. 7. As city clerk, she will be responsible for much of the city’s interaction with the public and other agencies, as well as the city’s record keeping and utility billing.

Aldermen held an open hiring process for the clerk position earlier this year. Mayor Chris Watson said it was clear that Smith-Fernandez was the best candidate.

“She has 10 years of experience with the city. She was deputy clerk before becoming treasurer, and has continued to hold both of those responsibilities,” Watson said. “We had some good applicants come through, but with the amount of experience she has with the projects we’ve got going on, and everything she’s involved with in the city ... it was most beneficial to hire Elsa.”

Although Smith-Fernandez received unanimous support to take on the role of city clerk, the additional title and authority of city administrator will remain vacant for now. A city administrator is granted additional authority to take actions on behalf of the mayor and board of aldermen. It’s a role that Watson said he expects Smith-Fernandez will be ready for once she has gotten comfortable with her other duties.

Smith-Fernandez has worked alongside Rainwater for the past decade, starting out as an office assistant. Watson said he’s confident the time under Rainwater has allowed her to learn what it takes to help oversee the city’s staff and make administrative decisions.

“That knowledge passes down from person to person. Will it be a change? Absolutely. But Elsa has been working next to the right person to make her successful and continue the city being successful,” Watson said.

As city clerk, one of Smith-Fernandez’s first tasks will be to help find and train a replacement city treasurer. In the meantime, she has asked the mayor and board of aldermen to step in and review financial reports so that she is not the only person with eyes on the city’s finances.

As she settles into the clerk position, Smith-Fernandez said she wants to continue the city government’s community outreach and positive interaction with residents that has been an emphasis of current leadership. She said she’s nervous to step into the role of her mentor, but also eager to serve the community.

“It becomes more than just a job. It’s kind of like your baby – you want to nourish it and take care of it,” Smith-Fernandez commented. “Being a good clerk involves a willingness to learn and grow. ... I’m looking forward to attending different trainings and networking opportunities.”

She added that she is excited to see what the future holds for Truesdale and its residents.

“I know the potential that we have here, and I know the work ethic of the city board and the employees. We’ve got a long way to go,” she said.

Rainwater, as she prepared to pass on her office, said she also looks forward to seeing what her successor will accomplish.

“She’s not going to ‘fill my shoes.’ She’s going to build on top of what we’ve done,” Rainwater commented.