The Fayette City Council officially hired Tara Kunze as the new City Clerk during closed session of its special meeting Thursday evening.

Kunze, who began working for the city in February 2019. She was previously named acting city clerk for signatory purposes.

Until now, the city had combined the offices of city clerk and administrator. Outgoing interim city administrator, Jeff Hancock, advocated that the city separate the positions.

Hancock was hired in March on a temporary basis by the city council after the former city administrator, Robin Overstreet, was fired when it was discovered she failed to file mandatory financial records with the state, which ultimately cost the city more than $150,000 in fines. Hancock’s contract, which had already been extended once, officially expired at the end of business Tuesday, July 7.

The city council has been interviewing applicants for the city administrator position. An offer has reportedly been made and accepted, on the contingency of a background check. This story is developing.