Last Monday night, the Collinsville City Council moved to appoint City Administrator Dannielle Talley to the role of City Secretary. Talley, who has been serving as Interim City Secretary since October 2023, will serve in both roles simultaneously.
Talley first started working for the City of Collinsville in January 2020. Three years later, she was appointed to the role of City Administrator.
“I absolutely love working for the city,” she said. “I find municipal government fascinating. I enjoy working with our planners, engineers and developers... visiting with and getting to know the citizens when they come into City Hall, or when I see them out and about. Everyone has a story, and I love hearing their story.”
Despite her love for the city, Talley realizes her positions come with challenges.
“Being a public servant is hard because you are always under a microscope, and sometimes the critical voices are the loudest,” she said. “Yet it is so rewarding knowing you are making a difference in your community and positive changes for the future. ...We have an amazing team... They believe in each other and the betterment of our community.”
Talley especially appreciates how special living in and working for a small town truly is.
“With all that is going on in our country today, it is comforting to be in a community that values family and comes together to support one another when the need arises,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to work and live.”
