ANNA MARIA – On Oct. 1, Barb Jeffries will become the city of Anna Maria’s new city clerk.
Jeffries will succeed current City Clerk Amber LaRowe, who will become Anna Maria’s first city administrator effective Oct. 1.
On Aug. 27, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously authorized Mayor Mark Short’s request to appoint LaRowe to serve as city administrator. At the time, it was not announced that LaRowe would vacate the city clerk’s position.
On Sept. 8, in accordance with the city charter, Short sought city commission authorization to appoint Jeffries to serve as Anna Maria’s next city clerk.
When seeking commission authorization, Short said, “This request is for commission approval to name Barbara Jeffries as the city clerk effective October 1. She’s filling big shoes, but as you all know she’s been effectively operating in that capacity for a while now.”
When Commission Chair Charlie Salem sought a motion to appoint Jeffries as city clerk, Commissioner Gary McMullen said, “So gladly moved.”
“So gladly seconded,” Commissioner John Lynch said in response.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
After the Sept. 8 meeting ended, LaRowe shared her thoughts on Jeffries succeeding her as city clerk.
“The city is in very good hands. I have had the privilege of working with Barbara since March of 2025. At that time, she was the administrative assistant. Shortly thereafter, she became the executive assistant to me. I have guided her and trained her and she’s very proactive. She loves to learn. She listens well and receives information well. She really is a great employee and an asset to the city,” LaRowe said.
LaRowe said current Office Assistant Isis Mavenyengwa’s title will be changed to Records and Special Events Coordinator effective on or around Oct. 1.
When asked about her promotion and her start with the city in 2023, Jeffries said, “I’m proud. I feel honored to work for the city. I like to be a bridge for the community and the local government, letting people know what we’re here doing. Sitting at the front window was a good way for me to meet the residents and get familiar with the community.”
During her time with the city, Jeffries was promoted to executive assistant, then to deputy clerk, and soon she’ll become a city clerk for the first time.
Jeffries attended college for business administration and paralegal studies. She spent several years working in the childcare field before she became a municipal employee.
As city staff members, LaRowe, Jeffries and Mavenyengwa are all members of the Florida Association of City Clerks, and Jeffries expects to soon be designated as a Certified Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). She anticipates completing her IIMC certification this fall.
Jeffries said before she joined the city staff, she never envisioned herself as one day becoming a city clerk.
“That was actually never on my radar. Local government was never on my radar. It’s an honor,” she said.
