Clayton Welcomes UNC School Of Government Fellow

CLAYTON, N.C. – The Town of Clayton has welcomed a University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Government Fellow who will spend the next 11 months helping advance the Town’s Ordinance Modernization Initiative, a long-term effort to review and update the Town’s Code of Ordinances.

Emily Yurasek started on Monday, August 3 and will serve in the Town Clerk’s Office throughout the fellowship. She will support the Town’s review and update of the Code of Ordinances, helping make it easier for residents, businesses, and Town staff to understand and navigate.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from experienced local government professionals while contributing to a project that will have a lasting impact,” said Yurasek. “I’m looking forward to building relationships across the organization and helping create a code that is easier for residents, businesses and Town staff to understand and use.”

The Town’s Code of Ordinances is the collection of local laws that helps guide how Clayton operates every day. As the community evolves and state laws change, the code needs to be reviewed and updated to stay clear and consistent. This work will help make the Town’s local laws easier to navigate while supporting transparent and consistent decision-making.

As part of the project, Yurasek will work with departments across the organization to better understand how the Town operates and identify opportunities to improve the Code of Ordinances. She will also research best practices and help develop recommendations for future updates.

“One of the best parts of this fellowship is that everyone benefits,” Holland said. “Emily gains meaningful experience in local government, and the Town benefits from the time, energy and fresh perspective she brings to this important project. We’re excited to welcome her to Clayton and see what we can accomplish together.”

The UNC School of Government Fellowship program places emerging public service professionals in communities across North Carolina where they gain hands-on experience working on meaningful local government projects. Fellows receive training and mentorship through the UNC School of Government while helping local governments build capacity and advance initiatives that benefit their communities.

This is the second time the Town has hosted a UNC School of Government Fellow. Last year, Laney Taylor completed her fellowship with Clayton’s Budget and Performance Office before joining the Town as its Budget Analyst, reflecting the Town’s ongoing commitment to developing future public service leaders.