Deputy Clerk Hill moves up to Cresco City Clerk

CRESCO - With the start of a new year just around the corner, the City Hall will have a change––but a very familiar face––as Niki Hill will start her position as the new Cresco City Clerk. 

Hill had been the Deputy Clerk and has now moved up replacing Michelle Elton, who will be working her last day on January 31, 2024. Elton will officially retire in April after she uses all her vacation/sick time.  However, Hill will be doing all the city clerk responsibilites, pretty much from here on out. 

With the new duties, there is plenty to learn as a City Clerk basically has to know everything there is about finances, budgets, government regulations, about working with the public and about each of the many departments of the city. 

“There is always things to learn and every day can be different!” stated Hill, who has been working with Elton for over a decade. “Some days you start the day working on the budget and finish the day with Council meetings. Other days are spent working on a variety of projects.”

Hill has a nice history in the area, having graduated from Houston (Minn.) High School, then attending Winona Technical College before finishing up at Rochester Community and Technical College.  From there she has had several different jobs, but found something special that may finish out her working career, here in Cresco. It was in 2009 that she had moved to Ridgeway. 

“I’ve been at the City of Cresco for almost 12 years where I spent the first decade as the Utility Billing Clerk and then was promoted to Deputy Clerk,” added Hill. “I have done a bit of everything in previous jobs as I worked in billing at WinnMed, collections, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance, retail, and more.”

Moving up to the City Clerk position is just another “stepping stone” in allowing her stability with her family. 

 She has been married to Todd for the past 10 years and the couple has three children with Tyler, age 20, Abby, 17 and Teagan, 6.  Abby is a junior in high school and Teagan is in kindergarten. 

 Over the years, Hill was the Utility Billing Clerk, but would help out as she could when and where needed. 

“When the Deputy Clerk position came open, it was the next step in continuing to grow with the City,” stated the new city clerk. “Now, with Michelle's upcoming retirement, I am just continuing to grow my career while still being committed to the citizens of Cresco.”

She stated a few of her responsibilities include: preparing for council meetings, minutes, processing invoices for payment, managing and preparing City budgets, payroll preparation and employee management. 

Hill pointed out that Elton has been a “wonderful help” in giving her the training needed for the job. 

“Michelle has been a great resource and wealth of know-ledge in the transition from Utility Billing Clerk to Deputy Clerk, and then again to City Clerk,” added Hill. “I’m happy for her to retire, but sad to see her leave because she has been such a great benefit to the City.”