Wausau Seeks New City Clerk After Four-Year Tenure Ends

The City of Wausau is searching for a new city clerk after Kaitlyn Bernarde announced her resignation this month. Her departure marks the second time in five years the Marathon County seat has needed to fill this critical role.

Bernarde’s last day is April 9. She’s stepping away from a position that touches nearly every aspect of local government — from running elections to managing public records to overseeing the customer service team that helps residents navigate city hall.

For folks who’ve never thought twice about how their property tax gets processed or their voter registration stays current, the city clerk’s office is the invisible engine that keeps Wausau running.

Four Years of Elections and Community Connections

Bernarde took over the clerk’s office in late 2021, succeeding Leslie Kremer. Over four years, she’s overseen countless elections, managed public records requests, and gotten to know the army of poll workers who make democracy function in central Wisconsin.

Her favorite moments? Those marathon election days when everything clicks. “My favorite memories are at the end of a 15-plus hour election day, when it’s gone smoothly, polls are closed, poll workers have all checked in,” she told WJFW. “You and your team can just kind of look around at all the great work that you did.”

Anyone who’s worked an election shift knows that feeling. It’s exhaustion mixed with satisfaction — the kind you get after pulling off something bigger than yourself.

Bernarde emphasized she’s not leaving on bad terms. She simply has a different opportunity that works better for her family. In a job where deadlines overlap constantly and the phone never stops ringing, that’s understandable.

What the City Clerk Actually Does (It’s More Than You Think)

The clerk’s office at 407 Grant Street handles a staggering range of duties. Most residents only interact with it during elections or when they need a permit, but the work goes much deeper.

Here’s what the city clerk’s team manages on any given day:

• Administering all local, state, and federal elections — from voter registration to ballot counting
• Maintaining official city records and responding to open records requests
• Processing licenses and permits for everything from liquor sales to building projects
• Collecting revenues including property taxes, utility payments, and municipal fines
• Providing administrative support to the Common Council and publishing legal notices
• Overseeing customer service staff who field hundreds of questions weekly

Deputy Clerk Kody Hart supports these operations, providing some continuity during the transition. Still, replacing an experienced clerk means breaking in someone new to Wausau’s systems, residents, and the particular rhythm of a Northwoods city balancing small-town accessibility with regional hub responsibilities.

The Search Begins for Wausau’s Next Clerk

The city has posted the position on its website, looking for someone who can juggle competing priorities while keeping their cool during the chaos of election season. It’s not an easy job to fill.

Bernarde had some advice for whoever takes her seat. “It’s a very rewarding job; it can be very challenging at times with lots of deadlines that can overlap,” she explained. “You get to have a role in lots of different things in the city.”

That variety is both the blessing and the curse of the position. One hour you’re helping a resident track down property records. The next you’re coordinating with the county on redistricting. Then a council member needs meeting minutes from three years ago.

“You get to interact with a lot of other departments and really get to understand how the city works.” — Kaitlyn Bernarde

The ideal candidate needs deep knowledge of Wisconsin election law, records management experience, and the patience to explain government processes to frustrated residents on their worst days. Oh, and they should be ready to work 15-hour shifts every few months when elections roll around.

What This Means for Wausau Residents

For most folks, the clerk transition will be invisible. Tax payments still need processing, licenses still need renewing, and elections still need running. Deputy Clerk Hart and the customer service team will keep operations moving while the city finds Bernarde’s replacement.

But there may be small delays. If you’re planning to request public records or need help with a complex permit, expect things might take a bit longer during the transition. Government offices don’t exactly have a deep bench when key positions turn over.

The timing isn’t terrible — April gives Wausau a few months to hire and train before the fall election season heats up. Still, anyone who’s onboarded into a government job knows it takes time to learn the systems, the personalities, and the unwritten rules that keep everything humming.

Looking Ahead for Central Wisconsin’s Hub

Wausau serves as more than just another Northwoods town. As the Marathon County seat with over 70,000 residents, it’s a government center for the entire region. The city clerk’s office touches lives far beyond city limits when people come in for county business or regional permits.

Bernarde leaves behind a well-functioning operation and a team that knows the ropes. That’s the best anyone can hope for when changing leadership in local government. Her successor inherits systems that work — they just need to learn them fast.

The city’s job posting will stay open until they find the right fit. For anyone who loves elections, community service, and the occasional 15-hour workday, it might be the perfect opportunity. Just be ready for those overlapping deadlines Bernarde mentioned.

If you’re interested in applying or want to learn more about the position, visit the City of Wausau’s clerk office page for details. The city needs someone who can keep democracy running smoothly — one election, one permit, one resident question at a time.