Kristin Engel was sworn in by Mayor Tim Bala Monday evening at City Hall as new interim city clerk.

Engel, who was working in City Hall as a utilities billing clerk, succeeds Michelle Herman, who will retire later this month after serving as city clerk for nearly a dozen years.

She will earn a salary of $48,000 while doing the job. There is an option for both her and the City Council to consider later her appointment as city clerk.

Herman’s last day on the job will be Friday, Dec. 13, and she has pledged to help Engel with duties of the position.

In other business at its meeting Monday night, the council:

• Approved the Water/Sewer Department’s purchase of a 2019 Chevrolet Express KUY 3500 truck with a hitch for $47,000.
• Was reminded by City Manager Josh Eggleston that the special public forum on buying and selling recreational marijuana in the city limits will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.
• Was told by Councilman Rick Mathis that reporter Virginia Ransbottom has retired from her post at the Allegan County News & Gazette and Editor Ryan Lewis will be the person tomcontact for news as a result.