Measure B: Make City Clerk and City Treasurer Appointive Offices

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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Mendocino County, CA

November 3, 2009 Election

Measure B
Make City Clerk and City Treasurer Appointive Offices
City of Willits
Majority Approval Required

Pass: 548 / 55.98% Yes votes ...... 431 / 44.02% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 29 12:06pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (8/8)

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the offices of city clerk and city treasurer be appointive? Yes or No

Impartial Analysis
MAKING CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER POSITIONS APPOINTIVE RATHER THAN ELECTIVE Ballot Measure B asks whether the City Clerk and City Treasurer positions should be appointed by the City Council rather than elected at a general municipal election. By statute the offices of City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected by the voters at a general municipal election. Candidates must be registered city voters. The elected City Clerk and City Treasurer serve a four year term of office. That is how the City Clerk and City Treasurer are currently selected in the City of Willits. The offices of City Clerk and City Treasurer can become appointive, if a majority of the voters voting at a general or special election approve a city council sponsored ballot measure to make the offices appointive. This proposition to make the City Clerk and the City Treasurer appointive has been placed on the ballot by the Willits City Council. If the proposition is approved by a majority of the voters, the City Clerk and City Treasurer are thereafter appointed by the City Council and vacancies in the offices of City Clerk and City Treasurer are filled by the City Council. An appointed City Clerk and City Treasurer need not reside in the City, which should increase the likelihood of filling the position with someone possessing the technical skills required to perform the City Clerk and City Treasurer duties. No term of office is specified and the appointed City Clerk and City Treasurer serve at the pleasure of the City Council. If the ballot measure passes, the power to appoint the City Clerk and City Treasurer arises upon the expiration of the current City Clerk's and City Treasurer's term of office.
s/ James Lance H. JAMES LANCE, Willits City Attorney

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Arguments For Measure B Arguments Against Measure B

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B The Willits City Council urges a YES vote on Measure B to make the positions of City Clerk and City Treasurer appointed rather than elected positions. During the recent development of the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget, the City Council examined the issue of stipends and benefits for the City Clerk and City Treasurer and the possibility of reducing City costs by making these positions appointed rather than elected. It was determined that many duties of the City Treasurer are presently duplicative of those of the City's Finance Director. Demands on the City Clerk and City Treasurer are much different today than they were 25 years ago. At that time, the tasks of the City Clerk and City Treasurer could be accomplished easily by an elected city resident. Since then, the needs of the community have grown, and the complexity of the positions has increased. The City Clerk and City Treasurer must possess numerous technical skills that are not often found among city residents running for an elected position. These positions require persons with specific experience, qualifications and training to fairly and efficiently serve the public. In the vast majority of California cities, the City Clerk and City Treasurer are appointed positions. A YES vote on Measure B would reduce City costs as well as bring our City in line with modern practices of other cities and assure that the positions of City Clerk and City Treasurer are filled by individuals with the experience and qualification necessary to properly perform these vital city functions. Dated: 8/12/09 WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
s/Larry Stranske, Mayor
s/Bruce Burton, Vice Mayor
s/Hollly Madrigal, Council Member
s/Greg Kanne, Council Member
s/Victor Hanson, Council Member

No Arguments Against Measure B were submitted. 23B1

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Created: December 29, 2009 12:06 PST
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