Council Appoints New City Clerk

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Mayor and Council has decided to promote from within to fill the City Clerk vacancy left by the passing of Kathy Mathias last August.

Kelly Allmond, a five-year veteran of the town, learned Tuesday that the council has decided to offer her the position of City Clerk, instead of conducting a national search for a pool of applicants.

“There was much discussion and much consideration about posting that job nationally,” said Allmond.

However, the council eventually decided that it would be more cost effective and productive to promote from within, according to Allmond.

“We’ve been under so many changes and so much stress lately,” she said, referring to the recent departure of Convention Center Director Rick Hamilton and City Manager Dennis Dare.

Including the loss of Mathias, the last few months have produced a lot of turbulence among Ocean City leadership. Allmond hopes some of that will calm with her accession. While there may have been discussion of a nationwide search, it almost seemed inevitable that Allmond would receive the job.

Beginning her career with the town in 2006 as Assistant City Clerk, Allmond worked under then-City Clerk Carol Jacobs until Jacobs retirement in 2010. During that time, Allmond said that Jacobs was a keen and considerate teacher and well prepared her for the office.

After the passing of Mathias, Allmond continued on as her role of Assistant City Clerk under interim Clerk Wayne Pryor, who also handles grants for the city.

Allmond praised the work Pryor did in his short time but noted that he has moved on to oversee expansions to the convention center, a much needed role after the departure of Hamilton.

Though she feels prepared for the transition, Allmond expressed excitement for the promotion.

“I’m elated … I can’t wait to be sworn in Monday,” she said. “It’s the highlight of my working career.”

As far as duties go, Allmond doesn’t believe there will be a dramatic change from what she has been doing in her last position. She does anticipate working more closely with town officials, however.

“I’m going to be somewhat married to the council,” she joked.

The clerk’s office carries out a broad range of duties for the city including, but not limited to, voter registration, passports, elections, council and other board meeting scheduling, preparations and minutes, street performer permits.