LIMA — Should the measure be approved by Lima City Council, a Lima native will not only be coming back to her roots, but will also come back with a great deal of responsibility.
Mayor David Berger announced Wednesday that he intends to appoint Sharetta Smith as the City of Lima’s new chief of staff. The position has remained unfilled since the retirement of Catherine Garlock in 2011, with the effects of the 2008 recession creating budget constraints, preventing that position from being refilled. The chief of staff handles administrative duties for the city as well as steering projects as needed.
“With the city’s budget being stabilized and all of the major projects that we have coming out of the ground, we need this skilled administrator to assure success with the ambitious agenda that is underway,” Berger said. “Absent a full-time chief of staff, some duties and tasks were split between myself and various administrators and some activities were suspended. This permanent appointment will improve community outreach, communication with citizens and staff availability.”
Smith graduated from Perry High School as well as the University of Toledo. She also earned a law degree from Ohio Northern University and a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Since 2009, Smith has been working in government in Hamilton County, Tennessee, first with the office of the public defender and then serving as a judicial commissioner in the Hamilton County Court, a position akin to a magistrate. In 2011, she was named the Young Professional of the Year in Chattanooga.
“Several months ago, she contacted me to tell me she wanted to return home and wondered if there were any challenging opportunities,” Berger said. “I can think of nothing more challenging than working in local government.”
Despite living in Tennessee, Smith maintains that Lima is her home and she remains passionate about helping it grow and improve.
“I have managed to go off and get degrees that would help me anywhere, but this is home, and this is where I want to be,” she said. “If you’ll have me and accept me, I’m here to make this community great for all of us.”
Legislation to appropriate funds for the position will be on the next council meeting’s agenda. No word on what the expected salary for the position was given. In 2010, Garlock made $75,466.
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