6201 / 51.8% Yes votes ...... 5749 / 48.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The duties of the City Clerk which would not be affected by the passage of this Measure include: keeping records of the City Council proceedings, recording in a special book every ordinance and attaching thereto a certificate stating that it is a correct copy and has been published or posted pursuant to law, keeping custody of the City seal, and performing such additional duties as may be prescribed by city ordinance or State law.

/s Richard C. Burton

Historically, many cities have had an elected city clerk who performed a variety of duties. However, as cities have grown and become more complex, the duties of the city clerk have become more numerous and technical in nature and now require professional skills and expertise in areas such as election law, federal and state law, records management, and conflict of interest regulations. There is no guarantee that an elected City Clerk will possess such skills and expertise. An appointed City Clerk, however, would be selected based on education, management experience, licenses and continuing professional education. The appointed City Clerk would be subject to normal personnel procedures, including annual performance evaluations and possible termination for unsatisfactory performance.

The position of City Clerk, unlike that of a City Councilmember, is not a "political" one and it has no policy making power, nor is the City Clerk a "watch dog" or part of the governmental system of checks and balances. Rather, the role of the City Clerk is to use modern management practices to administer the legislative process as the City's election official, legislative administrator and records manager, while remaining apolitical and neutral.

We, the undersigned City Councilmembers, believe this change is in the best interest of the citizens, and therefore endorse the appointment of the City Clerk and encourage your affirmative vote on this measure to ensure that the duties of the City Clerk are performed by a legislative and administrative professional who is selected based on knowledge, education, training, experience and qualifications.

/s Curt Andre, Mayor
/s Martin Yerby, Vice Mayor
/s John S. Lazar, Councilmember
/s Billy A. Wallen, Councilmember
/s Beverly Hatcher, Councilmember

(No arguments against Measure F were submitted)