The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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For more than 28 years, Kerry Sull has worked for the City of Emporia, and now she faces her new role as the city clerk.

“It’s a little bit intimidating, but it’s a whole new challenge that I’m ready for,” Sull said.

She officially became the city clerk on Sunday; Mayor Kevin Nelson swore her into the position during the Wednesday city commission meeting.

Sull’s first job with the city was an accounts payable position with the accounting department in October 1983.

“I heard there was an opening,” Sull said. “I thought I would just try it, and I was lucky enough to get hired on.”

She previously worked for Lyon County State Bank as a loan secretary.

Sull moved to the City Clerk’s office and Water Department in December 1996 and became the assistant city clerk in June 1998.

Sull said Susan Mendoza, who was the previous city clerk, has been a good mentor.

“She always took the time to show me what to do,” Sull said. “She had faith in me to learn more, and she gave me that responsibility to do it. ... I really appreciate all that she’s done.”

She said she would not have reached the city clerk position without Mendoza.

Six employees work under Sull: Tracy Booth is the new assistant city clerk, Nancy Sirico and Mark Chase read the water meters, April Harden and Armando Mejia are cashiers and Brenda Bedolla is an administrative assistant.

“This department has some very good employees, very knowledgeable employees, very hard working employees,” Sull said. “Everybody enjoys their job. Everybody does the best that they can. And that makes everything a lot easier within the department.”

The city clerk works for the public, Sull said. She provides water billing, retains records, keeps track of every ordinance and resolution, records the minutes for each city commission meeting and provides licenses and permits.

“I am always trying to help the customers,” she said. “... I feel that I am a hard worker and that I have a hard working department. ... I feel that’s what I owe my employer and the public, to be a hard worker and a knowledgeable person. And if I don’t know something, I’ll do my best to find out the information. I really try to treat people the way I liked to be treated, and I enjoy learning. So the more I know, the happier I am.”

Sull was born and raised in Emporia. She graduated from Emporia High School in 1976.

“It is little different than it is now, but Emporia is a nice place to live,” she said. “... If I hadn’t enjoyed being in Emporia my whole life, I probably would have moved away.”

Sull is married to Cliff Sull. They have two small dogs: a rat terrier and a Jack Russell rat terrier mix.

She is now the “go-to person” for all questions in her department since she became the city clerk.

“I’ve got a lot more responsibility, and I’m learning more of the utility billing side,” Sull said.

The public can contact Sull at 343-4241 or ksull@emporia-kansas.gov if they have any questions for her.