Clayton’s Town Clerk is the Link Between Residents and Local Government
The Town of Clayton is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating Professional Municipal Clerks Week, which takes place May 4–10. This annual recognition, sponsored by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), shines a light on the important work municipal clerks do to support local government and connect with the community.
This year, Clayton is highlighting Town Clerk Heidi Holland whose steady leadership and attention to detail help make sure residents are informed and civic operations stay on track.
“When people hear the words ‘town clerk,’ I hope they think of a bridge – someone who connects the public to their local government,” Holland said. “We are the liaison between citizens, Town Council, and the Mayor.”
Municipal clerks like Holland handle a variety of tasks, including preparing agendas, maintaining records, coordinating advisory boards, and managing public records requests. In Clayton, her office processed more than 250 public records requests in the last quarter, demonstrating the need for information and the office’s commitment to providing transparency.
“There’s a lot of communication between our office, Town Council, and the Mayor,” said Holland. “Whether it’s emails, texts, or phone calls, we make sure elected officials have the information they need to lead.”
In addition to managing meetings and documents, Holland supports special events and community efforts by organizing logistics.
“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” Holland explained. “We keep lengthy to-do lists, juggle last-minute changes, and stay flexible because the job is dynamic and constantly evolving.”
Her path to municipal service wasn’t traditional. A graphic artist for more than two decades, Holland discovered a passion for public service after relocating to Clayton and joining the Town six years ago.
“I started as Deputy Town Clerk. Then served as Executive Assistant to the Town Manager. I’ve now been Town Clerk for about two and a half years, and I truly enjoy this work,” she shared.
Holland and her colleague form a mighty department of two, serving as the organizational backbone of local government. Their small but powerful team manages complex scheduling, maintains accurate records, and provides timely support for both the Town Council and residents. She credits their success to staying detail-oriented, responsive, and committed to serving the community.
“Our office handles much more than people might realize,” she added. “The often-unnoticed tasks are what make a real difference and require careful attention.”
Learn more about the role of the Clerk’s Office and how it supports the community at townofclaytonnc.org.
