Office of the City Clerk

City Clerk Recognized for Receiving Professional Clerk Certification and Designation

On June 6, 2023, the Belding City Council approved a Resolution recognizing City Clerk Janae Ortego for her accomplishment of attaining a Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC) designation. Mrs. Ortego earned this designation by completing a minimum of 120 hours of municipal clerk-focused educational training sponsored by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) through Central Michigan University (CMU). Mrs. Ortego was awarded a Certificate of Achievement through both CMU and MAMC. The Belding City Council wish to congratulate Mrs. Ortego for her perseverance and commitment to both her profession and to the City of Belding.

Responsibilities of the City Clerk

The City Clerk is an appointed position. The Clerk manages a highly diversified and imperative role in local government as the chief election official and keeper of the records.

The City Clerk is responsible for overseeing all elections held in the city of Belding by following Michigan Election Law, maintaining a permanent absent voter list, issuing absentee ballots, conducting public accuracy testing, training election workers, accepting campaign filings for city council vacancies, coordinating election workers between three precincts and one absent voter counting board (AVCB), registering voters and delivering accurate results to the County of Ionia and the State of Michigan while ensuring precinct re-countability if needed. The Clerk is also a member of the City Election Commission as established by the City Charter.

Typical clerk responsibilities also include preparing agendas and agenda packets with supplemental information for bi-weekly City Council meetings, monthly Planning Commission and Recreation Advisory Board meetings, a bi-monthly Downtown Development Authority meeting, as well as Zoning Board of Appeals and Election Commission meetings on an as-needed basis. This includes posting public meeting notices as required by law, preparing and preserving accurate minutes of actions taken at the various board and commission meetings, including certifying resolutions and motions. The clerk prepares bylaws, ordinances, agreements and affidavits and prepares and administers oaths. The clerk is in possession of the city seal and affixes the seal when required.

The City Clerk is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Coordinator and acts as the liaison between city departments and Michigan Municipal League (MML) for liability insurance claims. Additional responsibilities include submitting publications as needed to local newspapers, website postings and maintenance, social media postings, managing the Adopt-A-Spot program, issuing Peddler Permits, issuing Garbage Haulers License Renewals, submitting the Annual Tree City USA Recertification, and preparing a quarterly newsletter, the Belding Bugle. The clerk also has an active role in the Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Labor Day festivities. Notary Public services are available through the City Clerk’s office.

The Clerk assists the City Manager on selected projects.

Michigan Voter Information Center

The Michigan Voter Information Center is a great source for information!

Voters can use the Michigan Voter Information Center to:

• View your Sample Ballot for the upcoming election
• Request and Track your Absentee Ballot
• Verify your Voter Registration
• Find your Polling Place
• Contact your Local Election Official
• Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• And much, much more!