Alicia Hidalgo, City Clerk, City of Liberal, Kansas, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. The award was announced at the 72nd annual City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association of Kansas (CCMFOA) Conference in Manhattan, Kansas on Thursday, March 17th. Alicia has worked for the City of Liberal for over 15 years, beginning her service as City Clerk in 2015. Prior to being hired as City Clerk, Alicia held various positions for the City of Liberal. Alicia was instrumental in navigating the City of Liberal through the COVID pandemic, apprising their City of the ever-changing laws and mandates. She is a trusted resource for planning and decision making and is always willing to go the extra mile for the City’s success. Alicia serves on the Local Emergency Planning Board and is a member of numerous local clubs and committees. She helped implement a community clean-up program to help local organizations earn money for their programs; oftentimes volunteering her time on the weekends to help. Alicia is a member of CCMFOA and has served on the CCMFOA Education/Certification Committee, the Education/Program Planning Committee and the Board of Directors. She has served as an International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) conference committee member and was inducted in 2020 as an Athenian Fellow. Alicia’s City Manager stated that she “embraces challenges, finds solutions, and maintains relationships” to help make their City a better place. Outside of work, she would probably say that her greatest joy comes from her two sons. This award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State association, the profession and their city. The award was named in honor of Mildred Vance, former auditor and City Clerk/ Municipal Finance Officer of Parsons, Kansas, who served her community from 1948 to 1988. Mildred was instrumental in developing and promoting professional education programs for city clerks and finance officers at the state and national levels and was one of the first 100 clerks to receive the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation in 1972. Mildred was later accepted into the Academy for Advanced Education (AAE) and served as a director of IIMC. She strongly believed that city clerks and finance officers should contribute to their communities and she unselfishly gave of her time and talents in church, community and civic activities.
Source: CCMFOA
