City Clerk's Office | City of Lincoln

Mission and Responsibilities

The City Clerk’s Office is a central pillar of municipal government, dedicated to ensuring transparency, accessibility, and the integrity of the city's official processes. Our core mission is to professionally and impartially facilitate the business of the City Council, administer democratic processes, and serve as the steward of the city's legislative history.

At the heart of our mission is the professional and impartial facilitation of City Council business. We are committed to approaching foundational responsibilities with precision, neutrality, and a deep understanding of legislative procedures to ensure that decision-making processes are conducted efficiently, lawfully, and in a manner that fosters public trust. The City Clerk’s Office is also entrusted with administering democratic processes, a duty that underscores our commitment to civic engagement and fair representation. By managing elections, public notices, and records in accordance with legal standards, we help guarantee that every voice has the opportunity to be heard and that all processes are conducted with accuracy and integrity.

As stewards of the city’s legislative history, we preserve and safeguard official records that document the actions and decisions shaping our community. This responsibility ensures continuity, provides a reliable institutional memory, and enables residents, officials, and future generations to access and understand the evolution of their local government.

Core Functions

City Council Legislative Support Services

The City Clerk’s Office provides administrative support for City Council operations, navigating the complex procedural, legal, and logistical requirements inherent in the preparation, production, and distribution of official agendas and agenda packets. Our team ensures that all documentation is meticulously reviewed for compliance with applicable laws and standards and is delivered to our community in a timely and professional manner.

Elections Administration

As the City’s chief election official, the City Clerk’s Office administers municipal elections with strict impartiality and full adherence to applicable election laws. Our office oversees the ballot measure process, from initial filing through the certification of results, as well as the initiative and referendum process, providing authoritative guidance to candidates to ensure compliance with all legal requirements throughout the electoral process.

Regulatory Compliance and Filing Services

The department serves as the designated local filing officer for Political Reform Act compliance, managing Campaign Financial Disclosure statements and Conflict of Interest filings. We ensure full adherence to state transparency laws and adhere to the highest standards for public disclosure requirements.

Records Management and Public Access

The City Clerk’s Office maintains comprehensive archives and diligently ensures compliance with all applicable public records laws, thereby upholding transparency and accountability in government operations. Our records management system preserves the city’s official documentary heritage while ensuring efficient and reliable public access to municipal records, including the timely facilitation of public records requests.

Public Meeting Administration

The department ensures City Council meetings operate in full compliance with the Brown Act and other open meeting laws, maintaining the public's right to transparent government while providing accurate, timely information to residents, city staff, and elected officials.

Public Records Request

Claims, Summons, and Subpoenas

Election Information

Building/
Engineering Plans Affidavit

Related City Governance

City Council

Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Public Input and Participation at Meetings

All public meetings can be attended in person and are offered via Zoom. Please see the meeting agenda for instructions on how to participate via Zoom and feel free to reach out to the City Clerk’s Office with questions or if you need assistance.

Submit a Speaker Card to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting for both non-agenda and agenda items. Completing a speaker card is not required, but helpful in managing the public comment periods.

Those wishing to address the City Council on an item appearing on the agenda will be called upon at the appropriate time during the item’s consideration. The Mayor will call upon speakers who submitted speaker cards, those in the audience (in person), and those attending via Zoom.

Please note that comments from the audience without first being recognized by the Mayor may be disregarded or ruled out of order.

Time Allotted For Speaking (subject to change by the Mayor)

All speakers' time will be limited to three (3) minutes, unless extended by the Mayor. No person may yield speaking time to another person.

General Public Comments

All comments or questions should be addressed to the Mayor and in most cases, the City Council is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, but may engage in brief discussion, provide direction to City staff, or schedule items for future meetings.

How to Submit Written Comments

Written comments should be emailed to cityclerk@lincolnca.gov with mention of the meeting date and related agenda item. Emailed comments will be forwarded to the Council and will be treated as a public record.

Written handouts personally delivered to the City Clerk’s table at the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council and incorporated into the record for the meeting.

City Clerk FAQ's

Want to volunteer for a City Board/Committee/Commission?

Review our Advisory Handbook and fill out an Online Application if you are interested in serving.

How do I register to vote?

Online voter registration is available through the Secretary of State's Office at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

For additional information on voter registration or to check to see if you are registered go to the Placer County Elections website at https://www.placercountyelections.gov/.

Where can I look at the City Council agenda?

See the Current Agenda.

How do I get a copy of a City document?

Complete an online application for a public records request.

Where can I get a passport?

The City of Lincoln does not process passports. You may visit the Placer County Passport website or the City of Roseville's Passport website for nearby passport processing.

Where can I get a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate/divorce decrees?

Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) are generally held by the county where the event took place. Please visit the Clerk Recorder on the Placer County website or the County that holds the records to assist you with your search for these types of documents.

How do I file a claim with the City?

Go to the Claims, Summons and Subpoenas page for more information or complete the Liability Claim Form.

What is the City's policy on distributing tickets and passes to City officials?

In accordance with Section 18944.1 of the FPPC regulations, please go to the policy to review the City's policy under which the City's distribution of tickets or passes to a City official does not result in a gift to the individual official.