DALTON GARDENS — After two years without a deputy clerk, the city of Dalton Gardens unanimously approved adding the position back Wednesday night during a City Council meeting.

Mayor Curt Jernigan said city officials believed the added position would assist with efficiency, accessibility and greater long-term operational stability. 

“For some perspective, after two years of operating with a single city clerk, the city has identified and cleared a need for additional administrative support,” Jernigan said. 

In 2023, Dalton Gardens had a clerk and a deputy clerk, but the city leadership wanted to see if they could maintain operations smoothly without a deputy clerk after the position became vacant. 

Cutting an additional salary also meant saving a little money. 

“We take it very personally and we watch whatever we spend,” Jernigan said.

The salary is $17,472 for the deputy clerk job and the total estimated fiscal impact for the fiscal year 2026 budget comes to $26,000.    

The deputy clerk position also is anticipated to cost less for the city than it did in 2023 by about 15%.  

Those funds will come from the general fund and cover fiscal year 2026 from May 1 through Sept. 30. 

Sandra Leppert, the new deputy clerk, has been working in a temporary position to modernize and digitize city records. 

City Councilor Sue Supp said she’s been impressed with Leppert’s ability to come up with ready solutions for logistical problems in the work she has performed for the city. 

"I’ve been watching Sandra’s work for the last 18 months and she’s an absolute gem,” Supp said.  

The new deputy clerk will handle additional administrative activities and allow the administrative office to remain open during lunch hour. 

Jernigan said the additional coverage will allow City Clerk Sandy McFarland to take on some treasury functions. 

The change to the 2026 budget reallocates existing funds within the general fund and does not increase the budget.