After serving the City of Oxford for 20 years, Mary Ann Eaton will retire from her position as Clerk of Council Nov. 30.

Eaton served as clerk under six mayors and 19 council members during her 17 years in the position. At her final meeting as clerk, Nov. 15, she expressed her gratitude toward members of council and City of Oxford department heads for trusting and believing in her to carry out this important work. 

The Clerk of Council attends all meetings of the council and keeps an accurate record of all proceedings and tracks all ordinances and resolutions enacted by council; prepares council agendas and minutes, responds to public record requests, and responds to citizen’s request archival, business, legislative and historical information; and the clerk also coordinates the appointments to the city boards and commissions and is responsible for filing updates to the city’s municipal code.

“I’m really going to miss you,” Vice Mayor William Snavely told Eaton at Monday’s meeting. ”I have never seen anybody work harder and be more effective and efficient in their job. It’s been a pleasure to work with you.” 

Eaton will be succeeded by Heather Barbour, who was officially appointed at the Nov. 15 meeting. 

“While this is farewell as your clerk of council, Oxford remains my home and I’m sure we’ll see each other around town,”  Eaton said at the meeting.