Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 328 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
Most people don’t know what a municipal clerk does. And if they’re honest, they probably don’t think much about the role at all.
And that’s a problem.
Because behind every council meeting, every ordinance, every election, and every public record, there’s someone making sure it all holds together.
This week—May 3 through May 9, 2026—is the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
And it’s the perfect time to highlight a role that is essential to local government, but often overlooked.
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, I sat down with Lisa Garcia, Town Clerk and Deputy Town Manager for Florence, Arizona.
She’s spent more than 30 years in local government.
Not chasing titles.
Not trying to climb a ladder.
Just showing up, learning, saying yes to opportunities, and doing the work that keeps a city moving forward. What stood out to me wasn’t just her experience; it was how she talks about the work.
There’s pride in it.
There’s ownership.
There’s a deep understanding that what happens behind the scenes matters just as much as what the public sees.
Because that’s the reality most people miss. Local government doesn’t run on big speeches or bold announcements. It runs on structure. On process. On people who know how to navigate complexity and keep things aligned when it would be easier to let things fall apart.
That’s the role of a clerk.
And in Lisa’s case, it’s also the role of a leader.
We talked about the leadership gap that exists when people are promoted for what they know, but not prepared for what they’re stepping into. We talked about communication…how it’s often the simplest thing to fix, and the one most organizations get wrong. We talked about the rise in incivility, the pressure local leaders are carrying right now, and what it looks like to keep showing up anyway.
And somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Lisa shared something I haven’t stopped thinking about.
Every year, she writes her resignation letter.
Not to leave, but to reflect. To look at what she’s done…what she hasn’t…and what still matters.
Then she tears it up and gets back to work. That’s the kind of perspective that doesn’t just sustain a career; it builds one that matters.
So this week, take a moment.
If you’re in local government, recognize the clerks around you.
If you’re not, take a minute to understand the role a little better.
Because the work that builds great communities…
is often happening behind the title.
Listen to Episode 328 with Lisa Garcia: Not Just a Clerk
This episode is sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From AI to budgeting solutions, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities.
Learn more at tylertech.com/winter →
The MLDC is where local government leaders go to grow, together. It’s the fastest-growing leadership development community designed specifically for the public sector, now paired with a comprehensive 9-month Leadership & Culture Program for those ready to elevate their leadership and their organization.
Learn more at haltingwinter.com/mldc →
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
