Rita Lee has served as city clerk–controller for the City of Hartselle for the past 17 years. She is a member of the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks and Administrators, and in the last week of June, she was named the Alabama Clerk of the Year.

To be considered for clerk of the year, Lee first had to be nominated by her AAMCA district. “I felt very fortunate to even be nominated for the award, and to win was shocking. I was humbled and honored,” Lee said.

According to the AAMCA nomination form, “The purpose of the Clerk of the Year Award is to recognize a member of the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks and Administrators (AAMCA) whose accomplishments during the past year have made the most significant contribution to the objective of the Municipal Clerk professions, the improvements of municipal government in Alabama and/or the clerk’s own community and municipal government.”

According to the AAMCA website, this marks the 37th year for the award.

In addition to the award, AAMCA provides clerks across Alabama with resources and training. Lee said the group allows clerks to easily communicate with one another and help each other.

“It is a great organization; we rely on each other,” Lee said. “It is a tight-knit group, and to be honored by my peers through the nomination was great.”

Lee has lived in Hartselle for 30 years and said it is “a great honor to represent the city.”

Although originally from Blount County, Lee said she loves the feeling of home she gets from Hartselle. “It’s that small-town atmosphere. You know most everyone, and it’s just that hometown feel,” she said.

Lee said she wanted to thank everyone at City Hall for their support in helping her earn the award.

“This is not something I can do by myself. I have a great staff, and we have a great staff at City Hall that helps make it possible,” she said. “Our city is blessed with a great mayor and city council. I also want to thank our city attorney Larry Madison for his support and guidance. They all help make my job easier.”