By Lookout Staff

July 10, 2024 -- Interim City Clerk Nikima Newsome will assume the post on a permanent basis after the City Council named her Santa Monica's new City Clerk on Tuesday.

City Clerk Nikima Newsome (Courtesy City of Santa Monica)

A five-year veteran of the City Clerks’ Office, Newsome has held the top post since outgoing clerk Denise Anderson-Warren retired in December. In a City known for pioneering polices, Newsome will oversee an office that often ushers agendas featuring cutting-edge legislation and manages hotly contested local elections. Her office also is in charge of handling public records requests from a highly active citizenry and helping prep those planning to address the City Council.

As City Clerk, Newsome will serve as the city elections political reform filing officer and compliance officer for the Brown Act and local statutes, City officials said.

“Ms. Newsome’s depth of experience and leadership makes her the perfect choice for our next city clerk,” Mayor Phil Brock said in a statement Wednesday.

“We’ve seen her navigate the interim role with the utmost professionalism, and I know we are in the best hands as she continues as our permanent city clerk.”

Prior to Santa Monica, Newsome served the Township of Mount Holly in New Jersey for five years as the township clerk, deputy registrar and purchasing agent.

She was also the deputy clerk of council for the Cuyahoga County Council in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Being a city clerk has been my passion since I was introduced to the field, and I am incredibly honored and humbled to do what I love in the city I have come to love,” Newsome said.

“I am so excited to usher in a new dynamic and energy to the City Clerk’s Office.”

Newsome has a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgian Court University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Dayton.

She holds certifications as a Certified Municipal Clerk and a Master Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and is a licensed Registered Municipal Clerk and Qualified Purchasing Agent in New Jersey.

Newsome’s appointment is effective immediately, with an annual salary of $230,784.