Draper’s new City Recorder Nicole Smedley is a history buff. “All I do in my free time is listen to history podcasts. I love history and having oversight of historical city records including old leather-bound handwritten minute books, original articles of incorporation, old maps and plats of how things used to be, newspaper clippings and historical photos, and making sure those types of things are preserved for the city,” Smedley said.  

Fittingly, her chosen career has historical significance. Often called Town Clerk in old England, it was usually a scholar who could read and write. According to the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, “The Municipal Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with the tax collector. The profession traces back to Biblical times…The early keepers of archives were often called Remembrancers and, before writing came into use, their memory served as public record.”

Smedley hasn’t had a chance to look into antique documents which may or may not exist at City Hall. Draper is a young city, incorporated in 1978. But Smedley is aware of Draper Historical Society’s Research Library and Museum just down the road and she hopes to visit it once she’s gotten a handle on her new job. 

Smedley started her municipal career in 2008 as a Justice Court Clerk in Weber County. There, the city council used the court as their chambers. “As I was working in Justice Court, I remember seeing the City Recorder setting up for a city council meeting and I thought that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. In 2011, she became Deputy City Recorder for North Ogden.

In 2014, Smedley was hired as Assistant City Recorder for Salt Lake City. “That’s when my career really took off along with my love for transparency, historical records and election administration,” Smedley said. Her main emphasis in that role was records management, including overseeing about 15,000 GRAMA (Government Records Access Management Act) requests. She also taught city employees best practices for records management and adherence to Utah’s state code under GRAMA. In 2015, she implemented the first ever vote by mail when the state transitioned to that process. “We ended up having the highest voter turnout to date in that election,” she said. 

Smedley was promoted to Acting City Recorder, then came 2020 and Covid. She took a hiatus to pursue something else. “After making it to the top of my career field, I had an opportunity to work with adaptive sports at the University of Utah. It was one of the most rewarding two years of my life, but then I realized my true passion and purpose was municipal government,” Smedley said. She returned to a municipal job in June 2024 in the greater Salt Lake area. Then came an offer from Draper City.

Smedley replaces Laura Oscarson who is retiring. “Laura is so meticulous and has done a great job,” Smedley said. She sees her most important role as maintaining accuracy and transparency of public records including council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, public notices and public meeting agendas. Two aspects new to Smedley in Draper’s City Recorder job include overseeing passport processing as well as burials and plot purchases for the cemetery. She’s excited about both. “Passports are surprisingly fun. I love interacting with people who are so excited to travel.” Smedley hopes to dive into the history of the city’s cemetery once she’s more settled in her new job.

Smedley is assisted by three staff members including Deputy City Recorder Ashley Johnson, Office Clerk and Passport Acceptance Agent Erika Pena and Passport Coordinator Liz Downer. 

It’s a municipal election year in Draper, so Smedley’s experience will come in handy. Positions up for election include mayor, two four-year terms on the council, and the two years remaining in Cal Roberts’ term after he resigned to go to the legislature. Marsha Vawdrey was chosen by the council to temporarily fill that role.

“It’s important for us to ensure that voters know that a fair and secure voting process is of upmost priority to election officials,” Smedley said. λ