Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@yelmonline.com
The City of Roy has found its new clerk-treasurer.
In a special council meeting Monday evening, June 16, the Roy City Council unanimously approved the appointment of new City Clerk-Treasurer Kristian “Kris” Ballerini, who recently relocated from Pennsylvania. Councilmember Ryan Muller was absent for the vote.
Ballerini’s appointment comes more than 12 months after former City Clerk-Treasurer Michael Malek resigned in May of 2024. Malek’s tenure lasted just 11 months before he left for a role as the City of Puyallup’s financial analyst.
Beth King has served as the acting city clerk-treasurer since that time.
Before the vote was taken to confirm the new clerk-treasurer, Councilmember Jim Rotondo asked Ballerini why she decided to come to Roy.
“We made the move across country to be closer to our daughter, who has… a three-year old son and another one on the way,” Ballerini said. “So she needed the support here, and being in Pennsylvania, it was time. My husband retired in 2020, and it was time for us to come and give her the support she needs.”
Rotondo followed up by asking Ballerini if she was looking for long-term employment.
“I am,” Ballerini said. “I know my immediate goal is, at a minimum, seven to 10 years still in the workforce.”
After the unanimous vote, Mayor Kimber Ivy led Ballerini in the oath of office. The new clerk-treasurer then took a moment to address the council.
“I just wanted to take a minute, and for some of the residents that are here that don’t know me at all, because I’m new to the state, that I really want to thank you for putting your trust in me with this,” Ballerini said. “I’m coming from Pennsylvania, Bucks County. Our population was 625,000, where I was the elected county treasurer there, overseeing a general fund of $220 million, comprised of 52 bank accounts.
“So, to be able to come here and still continue the good work that I’ve done in Pennsylvania, and now bring that here, I’m so honored to be here, and that you have taken the time in the past week to review my credentials, to talk with me if you needed to, and I really look forward to working here.”
The twice-elected Ballerini resigned from her previous position with Bucks County in March. According to a statement issued at the time of the resignation, Ballerini was credited with strengthening the county’s fiscal health and enhancing banking operations.
Ballerini reportedly highlighted a number of accomplishments in the statement, one of which was the return of more than $500,000 in unclaimed tax sale proceeds to property owners.
