The City of Palo Alto announced today the appointment of Lesley Milton as City Clerk, starting on July 26. The City Council will formally consider Ms. Milton’s appointment at its meeting on June 21.
Milton brings over a decade of experience in city government. Milton served as Seaside’s City Clerk and Public Affairs Officer for seven years then promoted to Assistant City Manager. During her tenure as City Clerk, she led many innovative processes that increased the City’s transparency and citizen engagement.
“We’re pleased that Lesley will join the City this summer as our new City Clerk,” said Mayor Tom DuBois. “She brings a well-rounded and unique perspective to the City Clerk position. Her strong track record of innovation, collaboration, transparency and community engagement will be a great asset for the City.”
As City Clerk, Milton will serve as a liaison between the public and the City Council, providing information about the operations and legislative history of the City. She will also serve as the City’s Elections Official, assisting with potential candidates and ballot measures. Her key responsibilities include:
- City Council Agendas
- Boards and Commissions Recruitment
- Public Records Act Requests
- Local Elections
- Political Reform Act
- Legal Noticing
- City Records Management
“I’m excited to join an award-winning City recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed,” said Milton. “I love being a Clerk because I am able to work closely with the public, all City departments and with the City Council. Having lived on the Monterey Peninsula just south of Palo Alto, I am familiar with the area and the needs of the community.”
Milton holds a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills. She’s also a graduate from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and Yale University’s Women’s Leadership Program. She’s currently earning a credential in Harvard’s Public Leadership Program. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science & Criminology from Washington State University.
Council selected the firm Peckham & McKenney to conduct this recruitment.