Eastern Wayne Today

The city clerk wears many hats: election manager, keeper of city records, a gatekeeper for processing FOIA requests, administrative liaison to City

Council – taking notes, counting votes and clarifying parliamentary rules when needed, and posting notices of public hearings. If that wasn’t enough, the

clerk in Northville also oversees the Building Department and manages membership of boards and commissions.

Mike Smith’s organization skills and ability to get along well with others will serve him well as city clerk. “I enjoy the day-to-day tasks and processes of

working with residents, staff, and elected officials on a myriad of projects,” he said. “I love learning and growing every day and will continue to challenge

myself and others to do better and be the best they can be.”

He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Valley State University in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Leadership and Diversity, and a Master of Public

Administration from Oakland University along with a Post Masters Certificate in Local Government Management from OU. He is committed to ongoing

education.

A Certified Municipal Clerk, Smith has worked in municipal offices for nearly 19 years with positions in Oakland County Clerk’s Office; the city of Clawson,

where he began as deputy city clerk, rose to city clerk, left and returned as the city manager; and as an administrator/clerk in the village of Wolverine

Lake. He most recently was assistant to the city manager in Berkley.

He is committed to working with residents and staff to continue to operate the City Clerk’s Office with professionalism. “It is my goal to maintain the sound

leadership, good governance, accountability, honesty, and integrity that all residents are accustomed to in this office. I hope to bring some positive

changes as well.”

During his first year here, he intends to keep the status quo where necessary and streamline tasks and oversight in response to the new election laws

(Proposal 22-2 in 2022) and other election law changes. Since Northville straddles two counties, that adds another layer of processes to be evaluated

and refined.

“It is important to remain professional and have accountability and integrity in everything you do and I pride myself in those values,” he said. “I also

believe it is important to have humility and be able to laugh at yourself and with others to create a positive culture in the office.”

Having a skilled staff is very important to Smith, who notes, “You’re only as strong as those you surround yourself with.” He appreciates “the staff’s

experience, dedication, and the wonderful customer service they provide.” He plans to learn from them as they learn from him, especially when his new

deputy city clerk is hired. (See job posting on the Employment web page.)

Mike and his wife, Jennifer, live in White Lake with their two elementary-aged children (Natalie and Andrew) and their dog (Dexter Jr.). He served as an

elected School Board member at the Walled Lake School District from 2010-2013 and volunteers at his children’s school. In his spare time, he runs a

small handyman/woodworking business and a municipal services consultant agency. He enjoys reading, playing music, woodworking, spending time with

his family, traveling, and walking in Downtown Northville. He’s a Detroit sports fanatic and also exhibits that passion on local fields by assisting with his

daughter’s soccer team and coaching his son’s baseball team.

Original source can be found here.