7-16-2013 5:31pm

City Council Offers Clerk Job to Terri Royal

The City of Saline has offered the city clerk’s position to Tecumseh resident Terri Royal.

Saline City Council voted 7-0 to accept a search team’s recommendation and offer the position to Royal, who has been Chelsea’s City Clerk/Treasurer for almost 10 years, at an annual salary starting at $54,598. The offer is contingent upon a background check, physical and drug screening.

Royal replaces Dianne Hill, who worked for the city for nearly 42 years. Deputy Clerk Aimee Rutledge had served as interim clerk since April, when Hill retired from the city and began working as office manager for Linden Square assisted living center. Of 26 applicants, Royal and Rutledge were among six candidates interviewed for the position.

Saline City Councilor Linda TerHaar served on the search team with Treasurer Mickie Jo Bennet, DPW Director Jeff Fordice, Police Chief Larry Hrinik, City Manager Todd Campbell, and City of Sturgis Clerk/Treasurer Ken Rhoads.

“I was very impressed with the number of applicants and the qualifications of almost all the applicants. The process we used was very important,” TerHaar said. “Ms. Royal was clearly the top choice and I hope she will accept the offer.”

The six candidates completed and oral board, provided writing samples and answered questions about process.

Royal possesses a Bachelor of Applied Arts with a major in court and conference reporting and minor in business administration from Central Michigan University. She began working in government as city clerk in Montrose in 1997. From 2000 to 2003 she worked as administrative assistant in Scio Township. She has been employed in Chelsea, where she is clerk/treasurer, since 2003.

Royal, ordained as a non-denominational minister, is owner of Cloud9Marriages.