The City Clerk Department has three divisions: (1) Clerical Support of Council; (2) Copy Center and (3) Records Center.

The position of City Clerk was created by the Charter of the City of Independence. The City Clerk serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is the person the citizen would contact to determine actions that have been taken by the City Council and to determine the procedure for proposing items for the Council to consider. Those wishing to speak directly to the City Council at a Council Meeting about a subject the Council has authority over need to contact the City Clerk Department before noon on Friday before the 1st and 3rd Monday Council Meetings. (Citizen input regarding items that have been considered by the Planning Commission is not generally permitted at the Council Meetings, unless it is certified (by the Law Department) new information that was not available at the Planning Commission meeting.)

More information about serving on a board may be secured from the City Clerk Department by calling (816) 325-7010, or online. The application can be e-mailed to you.

The City Clerk Department provides the following functions:

• Assists the Council in the conduct of Council Meetings
• Prepares the Council Meeting agendas
• Keeps the journal of Council Proceedings
• Authenticates and records all ordinances and resolutions
• Edits and prints the City Code
• Certifies the validity of City documents for court evidence
• Attests to signatures on contracts and proclamations
• Applies the City Seal when appropriate
• Administers oaths of office
• Maintains a record of membership on all Council appointed Boards and Commissions
• Writes and types ordinances and resolutions
• Maintains the record of titles to City vehicles
• Authenticates, signs and attests deeds for Woodlawn Cemetery
• Operates the in-house printing facility for the City
• Processes the out-going mail for the City
• Maintains a Records Management and Microfilming Program for the City
• Transcribes the minutes of all Council Meetings
• Works with the Jackson County Board of Elections Commissioners in the handling of elections for the City
• The City Clerk is the Custodian of Records