Haines Assembly moves forward with clerk hire

The Haines borough is on its way toward hiring a new clerk. At a meeting Tuesday, the assembly voted to begin contract negotiations with Deputy Clerk Alekka Fullerton.

Deputy Mayor and assembly member Stephanie Scott chaired the meeting.

“One application was received during the statewide recruitment period and the applicant is deputy clerk Alekka Fullerton. The manager recommends the assembly promote her to this borough officer position,” said Scott.

Fullerton has been the deputy clerk at the Haines Borough since Sept. 2016. Her background is in law.

The borough’s current clerk, Julie Cozzi, announced her retirement in January.

The assembly voted unanimously to direct the borough manager to negotiate a contract with Fullerton.

“I think we’re lucky to have Alekka and I’m really thrilled,” said assembly member Heather Lende.

The borough advertised the position – set to begin March 1 – locally and through the Alaska Municipal League. Fullerton was the sole applicant.

Another assembly action this week opened the door for appointment by promotion in future situations like this one. The group adopted an ordinance that will allow for the practice.

Borough Manger Debra Schnabel spoke with KHNS about the change prior to the assembly meeting.

“As an employer, I like to see investment in employees,” said Schnabel. “When we start to invest in people and train them. Then there’s hopefully an assumption that they are going to continue to serve the borough. I think that promotion from within, especially when you’ve invested in somebody, is a very good idea.”

Since the assembly just adopted the new ordinance allowing from promotion within, it didn’t affect the process for hiring Fullerton.

In the future, promotions from within will apply for employees working as a deputy, apprentice, or assistant, wishing to move to a higher level position.

The assembly will still confirm the employment. And, the plans for promotion will be publically noticed.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Schnabel said she doesn’t plan to fill the deputy clerk position that Fullerton will be vacating.

KHNS will have more from outgoing clerk Julie Cozzi in coming days.