Johni Blankenship was sworn in as the City of Soldotna’s city clerk during Wednesday’s Soldotna City Council meeting. As city clerk, Blankenship will oversee city elections and help facilitate city meetings. The role opened following the departure of former Soldotna City Clerk Shellie Saner.

“We are very happy to have Johni Blankenship as our incoming city clerk and we are blessed to have her help move us forward,” Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker said during Wednesday’s meeting.

Blankenship comes to the City of Soldotna from the Kenai Peninsula Borough, where she worked in the clerk’s office for more than 20 years. She was named “Clerk of the Year” in 2016 by the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks and was named “Municipal Employee of the Year” in 2013 by the Alaska Municipal League.

Wednesday’s Soldotna City Council meeting can be streamed on the city’s website at soldotna.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.