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Southfield Council appoints Steven Ghart as deputy city clerk, names Jan. 21 start date
Summary
The City of Southfield on Jan. 20 appointed Steven Ghart to the role of deputy city clerk. Council discussed conflicting start dates in paperwork, approved the appointment, and Ghart was sworn in at the meeting.
The City of Southfield council voted Jan. 20 to appoint Steven Ghart as deputy city clerk, and the appointee was sworn into office during the meeting.
Clerk introduced the recruitment process, saying the vacancy drew 52 applications and that eight candidates were interviewed. The clerk told council the search prioritized candidates with prior municipal clerk or deputy clerk experience and experience in larger cities. "We put heavy weight onto experience... we were looking for candidates who actually served either as clerk or deputy clerk," the clerk said during the presentation.
Council members raised a discrepancy in the written materials over the effective hire date: one section listed Jan. 20 while a recommended resolution referenced March 4. Council members and staff clarified logistics with HR, and the clerk stated the candidate could begin payroll-eligible work immediately: "January 21st, tomorrow he'll be starting. His onboarding will follow," the clerk said.
Councilwoman Banks moved to appoint Mr. Steven Garheart (transcript spelling varies) with a starting date of Jan. 21, 2026; the motion was supported by Councilman Mandelbound and carried without further recorded opposition. The new deputy clerk stood and took the oath of office, responding "I do," and received applause from the council chamber.
Why it matters: the deputy clerk performs statutory recordkeeping and election-related duties; council emphasized hiring a certified municipal clerk with election experience to ensure continuity in the clerk's office.
The council did not record a roll-call vote tally in the motion minutes beyond the chair's announcement that the motion carried. The newly appointed deputy will begin onboarding with HR and the clerk's office following the swearing-in.
What's next: City staff will complete onboarding and integrate the deputy into election and records responsibilities as directed by the city clerk's office.
