The City Secretary is a Department Head responsible for the legislative operations of the city and directly accountable to the Mayor. The City Secretary has direct signature authority, and her signature is required on all Ordinances, Resolutions, and other official documents of the city. The City Secretary’s office is a city-wide information and document resource and is the official records management office for the city.
Ariel Harris, MPA, PMP
City Secretary
Ariel Harris brings five years of public service and administrative experience to her role, with a professional background that includes serving as Manager of Continuing Education at the University of Houston-Downtown, as well as positions with Florida International University and Stanford University. She holds a Bachelor of Public Administration, a Master of Public Administration, a Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Ariel is passionate about public service and is committed to helping City Hall become a place that fosters open engagement, transparency, and meaningful connections with the community.
Ariel is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and values opportunities to serve and uplift others. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working on puzzles, and shopping. She is engaged to be married in the fall and is the proud dog mom a Pomsky named Kaia. Through both her professional and community involvement, Ariel is dedicated to building positive relationships and supporting a strong, connected community.
Nancy Cruz
Administrative Assistant
Nancy Cruz is a resident of Waller County, where she proudly serves in public service and administration. With a professional background spanning sales, manufacturing planning, and inventory control, Nancy brings years of organizational and customer-focused experience to her current role in government. Nancy is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment within city offices. She is dedicated to ensuring that residents feel comfortable, respected, and efficiently served when they visit.
Outside of her professional work, Nancy is actively involved in her church, where she volunteers in children’s ministry. Cruz has five children who have attended or are currently attending schools within Royal ISD. She enjoys spending time at home caring for her plants and flower beds, as well as her beloved dogs.