DeKALB | There may be a shakeup coming at the DeKalb City Clerk’s office.

A referendum on this November’s election ballot has the potential to change the city clerk’s office to an appointed position rather than an elected one. The person to fill the position in the 2008 election would then be hired, or appointed, by the mayor in office.

Current City Clerk Donna Johnson plans on retiring after more than 30 years working for the city of DeKalb. She anticipates her retirement to be two years from next spring, at the end of her third term as city clerk. She has yet to set an exact date.

“Look back on history,” Johnson said. “There have been three city clerks in the past 50 years.”

DeKalb had seven different mayors in that time. Johnson said DeKalb may have a problem with a potential lack of the office’s cohesiveness, should every new mayor appoint a new city clerk.

Johnson said she fears this possibility could turn the position into a political issue. She foresees a chance of the new appointed official to take sides on issues with certain political leaders, whereas she said an elected city clerk would do what is best for the people and the city.

“I don’t take sides on issues,” Johnson said. “I still trust the public.”

With Johnson’s retirement, DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer said now is the time to allow voters to decide the position’s fate.

“Across the United States, the vast majority of city clerks are elected,” Van Buer said. “There are no policy decisions related to the position. This is a step toward a strong city management position.”

He explained that if the referendum passes, the selection process will be similar to the recent search for a deputy liquor commissioner, which was aided by a search committee recommendation.

In 1977, Johnson began her tenure in DeKalb as deputy city clerk. She took some time off after holding the post for 11 years, then returned to city office in 1993 when she ran for 2nd Ward council member.