Pending the outcome of contract negotiations and final council approval, Phillip H. Belcher will become Oxford Village’s new clerk/treasurer.
Council Tuesday night voted 4-1 to hire the Clinton Twp. resident for the dual position and authorized Manager Joe Young to negotiate a contract with an annual salary not to exceed $50,000.
Belcher has more than 30 years experience in virtually every aspect of municipal government from administration to public works to parks and recreation. He previously served as city manager in Gross Pointe Woods, Hudson and Auburn.
Belcher also worked as the assessor for the cities of Fraser, Marine City and Clare (where he served as clerk at the same time.)
Belcher currently works as a commercial property appraiser for the Wayne County Equalization Department and is an instructor for the Michigan Assessors Association.
Village President George Del Vigna cast the lone vote against hiring Belcher because he wished to see the clerk and treasurer positions separated.
Del Vigna wanted to hire a clerk from the outside, but select a new treasurer by promoting someone from within the village office.
‘We have somebody that’s qualified to do the job,? he said. ‘She’s been certified. She’s passed all the requirements and I’d look to reward somebody for that.?
Del Vigna was referring to longtime village employee Maureen Helmuth, who had interviewed for the treasurer’s position.