City Clerk

business office staffResponsibilities


The city clerk/finance officer works closely with the city administrator and council to help keep the city running as smoothly as possible. Some of the city clerk's responsibilities include:

  • Recording and publishing minutes of all council proceedings
  • Maintaining all records and documents of the city
  • Issuing licenses and permits
  • Overseeing the receipt and disbursement of all city funds and submitting required reports to the state
  • Serves as secretary to several boards and commissions of the city
  • Administer the oath of office as necessary for those offices and positions within the city
  • attendance at all regular and special council meetings

Meet the City Clerk


Trudy O’Donnell has been the city clerk/finance officer for Charles City since July 2007. Prior to coming to Charles City, she was the city clerk in Riceville for almost nine years. She is married to Mike and they have three children. She received her BA in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa in 1985 and is an Iowa Certified Municipal Clerk.


She works at city hall with a three-person staff:

  • Virginia Titus,  deputy clerk
  • Kiah Brinkman, utility billing clerk
  • Elizabeth Yaddof,  accounts payable clerk / receptionist