The position of Clerk of Council is an appointed position and defined in the Kent City Charter Section 32.  The Clerk of Council must reside within the Kent City limits, and serves at the pleasure of Council.

The Clerk of Council is charged with notification of all meetings of Kent City Council in accordance with the State of Ohio Open Meetings Act. The Clerk of Council is responsible for processing all materials for these meetings, attending these meetings, and recording these meetings into official journals.  All ordinances and resolutions passed by the Kent City Council must be authenticated by the Clerk of Council's signature.

Linda Copley has served as Clerk of the Kent City Council since 1990.  Ms. Copley became a Master Municipal Clerk in 2003, the highest level of certification attainable for municipal clerks, through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Kent City Council's Standing Rules lists the duties of the Clerk of Council, and one of those duties is to serve as the parliamentarian of their meetings. Ms. Copley became a Registered Parliamentarian in 2003, and is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

The Kent City Council's website, www.kentohio.org, made its debut in 1999.  Since that time, it has grown to be an informative tool for citizens and those people considering Kent for employment or school.  The Clerk of Council is responsible for maintenance and updating of this website.

PASSPORTS

In 2002, the office of the Kent City Council Clerk was designated as a Passport Acceptance Facility by the U.S. Department of State.  This designation allows residents and non-residents to make application in the city of Kent for a passport.  The Clerk of Council accepts those applications, and forwards them to the U.S. Department of State for processing. 

Passports are accepted by appointment only. For an appointment, please call 330 678 8007.

The current cost of a passport is $100.00, for those persons 16 years and older. The passport is valid for 10 years.  For those under 16 years of age, the cost is $85.00 and the passports are valid for 5 years..  The Clerk of Council accepts payment by personal checks, money orders, or certified checks.  Cash and credit cards are not accepted.  When paying for a passport, two checks or money orders are needed, as one check is retained by the City of Kent ($25.00) and the  other is forwarded to the U.S. Department of State with the application.  

Effective Feb. 1, 2004, every minor child shall appear when applications is made for a passport, regardless of their age.  Additionally, both parents or legal guardians must appear to make application.

For further information on passports and the latest requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website by clicking here.