POULSBO — Poulsbo City Clerk Nicole Stephens resigned Nov. 9, effective Nov. 13.

Stephens, a certified municipal clerk who worked for the city since 2008, cited stress and health issues as reasons for stepping down.

“The late meetings were taking a toll on me,” she told the Herald Nov. 10. “I would say [I worked] between 50 and 60 hours a week.”

Still, she said she “absolutely loved” the job. “Dealing with the public, the records, giving that transparency to government is what I enjoyed the most,” Stephens said. “I hope to stay somewhat involved [in local government].”

Stephens, a Belfair resident, got her start in local government in March 2007 as an administrative assistant in the Port Orchard City Clerk’s office. Port Orchard Deputy City Clerk Jill Boltz became city clerk of Poulsbo in October 2006; Stephens joined her when a deputy clerk position became available in July 2008. “She mentored me the first couple of years,” Stephens said.

Kylie Purves became city clerk in December 2013 when Boltz left to become secretary to the board of Kitsap Transit. Stephens became city clerk in October 2014 when Purves became city prosecutor and risk manager.

Stephens graduated from Washington State University’s Northwest Clerks Institute.

Stephens’ advice for the next city clerk: “It’s definitely a job where you need to kind of stand your ground,” she said. “The city clerk has always been the ‘Switzerland’ in city hall, neutral in all things. You’re primarily there to provide information to the public, and transparency is a huge part of it. With the committee meetings and council meetings, it’s definitely a time commitment. You have to make sure you don’t overcommit yourself. It’s a small city, so the clerk wears multiple hats and does multiple things within other departments. It’s one of those positions where you do a little bit of everything.”

As for her future, she said she’s “kind of keeping my options open” and is looking forward to enjoying the holidays with her three school-age children.

“I’m still finishing some stuff up for [the City of Poulsbo]. I’ve offered to help them during the transition.”

According to the city’s website, the City Clerk’s Office is responsible for “processing all public records requests, ordinances, resolutions, legal publications, contracts/agreements, and real property documents. Other functions include preparing and monitoring the Legislative and Clerk budgets, conducting the census for newly annexed areas as well as coordinating the annual census requirements, maintaining the city’s records and ensuring the preservation of essential documents.”