From administering city elections to keeping track of all birth and death records, the city secretaries for Tomball and Magnolia work behind the scenes to ensure their respective local governments are adequately serving their residents and accommodating future growth within the community.
Tomball City Secretary Doris Speer began her role in 2003 after spending 13 years working as an assistant in the same office. Speer said her role has little in common with a clerical job since she serves as a department head and has authority on ordinances, resolutions and contracts within the city. Speer said she enjoys her job because no two days are ever the same.
Magnolia City Secretary Lynne George has served in her role for almost four years. Previously, George worked for the city of Conroe in various positions until she was hired into the building permit department at Oak Ridge North, where she was later promoted to city secretary in 2002. George said her role in the city is rewarding because she is able to dabble in various departments on a daily basis.
Doris Speer, city secretary for Tomball
How have you seen the city grow and expand during your time as city secretary?
When I started in 1990, I started as the assistant city secretary, and I was the only assistant. I now have an assistant city secretary, a deputy registrar and an administrative assistant. I think our population was a little over 6,000 when I started, and the population now is almost 11,000.
When I got here, we had Juergens Park and the baseball fields. We now have the Wayne Stovall Sports Complex, Matheson Park and MLK park. [Lone Star] College had just been built I believe. It was very, very small and now it's huge. The hospital has more than doubled in size.
What are some things people might not know about your role in the city?
I just think a lot of people—when they hear the term city secretary—they think I type memos and answer the phones. It's really not a lot of the position. I'm a liaison between departments, I conduct the elections, and I provide administrative support to mayor, council and city staff.
I am a resource for citizens if they call City Hall and are trying to figure out what they need or who they need to talk to—they generally talk to me. I could be typing an ordinance one minute and mopping rainwater out of the foyer the next or fixing the coffee machine. We wear a lot of hats.
What does the city's future look like in terms of development?
I think everybody can see how rapidly things are developing around here with new businesses coming in. Baker Hughes has come in [with a new education and training facility] and we've got ExxonMobil [moving in] nearby. The school district is growing.
We have to address health, safety and quality-of-life issues and transportation improvements on the east-west corridors. City staff is always looking for ways to do things better, improve service and maintain cost or reduce cost. The mindset of the city employees is how can we best serve.
Lynne George, city secretary for Magnolia
How have you seen the city grow and expand during your time as city secretary?
I have seen Magnolia grow and improve in many ways. Annexation was done after a very long time to expand the boundaries along [FM] 1774. Then we reached out along [FM] 1488 and increased our [extraterritorial jurisdiction] by leaps and bounds out to FM 149 Spur.
This area will realize some significant development in the near future and that is exciting. We have tried to create a climate for positive change. We engaged a strong and capable team, and change is slowly but steadily being implemented.
What are some things people might not know about your role in the city?
I don't think that too many people really understand or know at all what the role of the city secretary is.&It is a very important and vital role, and it is taken very seriously.
There are so many things that play a part in this position. Organization is one vitally important part of this job. You must be able to organize files and records so that when requested, you can put your hands on something [at] a moment's notice. There is a lot of work to be done, and it can be an arduous road to travel on a daily basis.
To truly understand the full spectrum, one must walk a mile in your shoes. It is a role that is challenging, interesting and also gratifying.
What does the city's future look like in terms of development?
The future of Magnolia is looking better and better every day. The area is realizing significant activity in all directions—from major road and thoroughfare improvements to looming major commercial development as well as residential development. It is very exciting to observe and be a part of the vision, planning, growth and transformation to a prosperous, healthy and happy community. Change is good.
