Sandra Schendt named Outstanding Clerk of the Year

The Nelson city clerk has been named the 2024 Outstanding Clerk of the Year award winner by the Nebraska Municipal Clerks Association.

Sandra Schendt was honored in the Second Class City category at the association's annual banquet held Thursday in Columbus. Clerk awards were also given for first-class cities and villages.

Nelson's Mayor Arlan Drudik and members of the Nelson city council along with their spouses and Sandra's husband, Ron, also attended. They were able to keep their attendance secret until the award was announced. Sandra was cited for her devotion to the Nelson community as well as the excellent manner in which she carries out her duties.

Sandra Schendt has been employed by the City of Nelson for 36 years, the last 14 as city clerk.

She has served as secretary-treasurer, vice president and president of the South Central Area Clerks Association, is a member of the Nebraska Municipal Clerks' Association, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, where she received the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk. 

Sandra has helped other clerks throughout the state by teaching classes at the league's conferences and the clerk's annual conferences including being a round-table leader.

Sandra has changed how her city office does its bookkeeping 180 degrees. She has been instrumental in changing her office from a manual to a computer system for utility billing, radio read water meters, credit card and on-line bill pay, claims process and cemetery records.  

Sandra is an active member of her community and has been the secretary-treasurer for the rescue squad for 20 years and an instructor for 15 years.