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Council confirms Anthony Covington as clerk of council designate; training to start before incumbent retires
Summary
Council appointed Anthony Covington as clerk of council designate to train with incumbent Melissa Autry ahead of her retirement, then to assume the clerk role beginning Nov. 1, 2025; council said the selection followed a competitive search of 122 applicants.
City Council confirmed Anthony J. Covington as clerk of council designate and approved an immediate start to his training with incumbent clerk Melissa Autry before she retires at the end of October.
Vice Mayor Kearney explained the selection committee reviewed 122 applications and conducted multi‑day interviews. The council voted to allow Mr. Covington to begin training Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2025, and to assume the position of clerk of council on Nov. 1, 2025, for the remainder of the current council term.
Kearney thanked members of the selection committee, including Melissa Autry (incumbent clerk), Leticia Hazell (Director of Human Resources), City Solicitor Emily Smart Warner, Council President Pro Tem Victoria Parks, Council members Scottie Johnson and Jeff Kramer Ding, and chief of staff Kazeila Frambrough for their roles in the vetting process.
Councillors moved for immediate consideration so the designate could begin orientation promptly. Roll call recorded approval and the appointment was confirmed on the council floor.
Council members praised the selection process and thanked the city clerk for her 31 years of service; the council noted it received a large and competitive applicant pool. The administration will proceed with transitional tasks to onboard the designate and publish any related staffing changes.
