After months of advertising, interviewing and even a rejected offer, it appears the Village of Oxford will finally have a new clerk.
On Tuesday night, council voted 5-0 to offer Daniel L. Luick the clerk’s position at an annual salary of $38,500 pending the outcome of credit and background checks, review of the contract by the village attorney and reference checks to be performed by Councilwoman Teri Stiles.
‘I thought that Daniel Luick seemed to be the best fit for our small village,? said Councilman Mike Hamilton.
Luick is currently clerk for the Village of Vernon, a position he’s held since 1998.
Located in Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, the Village of Vernon has approximately 847 residents and operates under a general law form of government. The 0.72-square-mile village is located 18 miles west of Flint and two miles northwest of Durand. The quiet residential community is considered part of the Owosso metro area.
Luick, a 1993 graduate of Owosso High School and resident of Corunna, worked his way up the ladder in Vernon quickly, starting as an office assistant in 1993.
He was promoted to deputy clerk in 1995 and three years later, he was named clerk.
According to his resume, Luick’s extensive municipal experience includes preparing budgets and meeting minutes, applying for and administering various grants including police and recreation, administering projects such as sewer, sidewalk and streets, records management, utility billings, conducting elections, voter registration and doing payroll.
He is a Certified Municipal Clerk and has completed a three-year program from the Michigan Municipal Clerk’s Institute.
Out of the five candidates interviewed for the clerk position, Luick received a top rating from four council members.
Councilman Tom Benner was impressed with ‘the way he presented himself, his experience and (his) willingness to move to our community.?
‘I’m really excited that Daniel would have the opportunity to move to Oxford,? Stiles said.
‘I am most comfortable personally with Daniel due to his certification in clerk duties,? said village President Chris Bishop, who also liked ‘his familiarity with some of the computer software we currently use.?
The village has been without a permanent clerk since April 17, when Christine Burns resigned. A $50,000-per-year (plus benefits) offer to a previous clerk candidate was made by council in July, but it was rejected. Retired Clerk Rose Bejma has been serving as acting clerk since late April.