League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure S Office of City Treasurer Be Appointive City of Cloverdale Majority Approval Required Fail: 1,254 / 45.8% Yes votes ...... 1,484 / 54.2% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure S

Arguments Against Measure S

The elected City Treasurer was created in the California Government Code so that small communities would have someone who could collect money and write checks. Over the years, Cloverdale has hired professional finance staff who make sure our bills are paid, monitor our investments, and complete required financial reports in compliance with laws and best practices. The only requirements to be an elected City Treasurer are to be at least 18 years old, a City resident, and a registered voter. The only performance evaluation an elected City Treasurer receives is at the ballot box every four years. However, when we are talking about the City's finances, we need people who are educated in accounting, budgeting, and financial management, and there needs to be oversight of their performance on a day-to-day basis. The City has internal controls and checks and balances in place to assure accuracy and efficiency, and to protect the public's funds. City funds are audited every year by independent auditing firms. Transparency and public accountability are important. The City Council is closely involved in overseeing the City's finances. The Council Finance Subcommittee meets on a regular basis to review and make recommendations on financial matters. The City's finances are regularly discussed during City Council meetings and periodic special workshops. All of these meetings are open to the public. In addition, the City has financial information on its website. With all of these systems and practices in place, Cloverdale has outgrown the need for an elected City Treasurer. CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF CLOVERDALE s/ Carol Russell, Mayor s/ Jessalee Raymond, Vice Mayor

For more years than anyone can remember the voters have elected the Cloverdale City Treasurer to oversee their tax dollars. The City Council thinks they should take that responsibility away and appoint the Treasurer.Why? They argue that Cloverdale is the only city in the Sonoma County to elect a treasurer. In other words everybody else is doing it. This is a flawed idea. It is more important than ever that the voters have a Treasurer who does not answer to the City Manager or the City Council. You need a representative who can bring issues to attention of the taxpayers without worrying about job security or political backlash. Recent events in Southern California have shown how essential it is to have an independently elected Treasurer who answers to the electorate and not City Hall. Are the employees at Cloverdale City Hall hardworking and honest? Absolutely! Does this mean that there should be no oversight from an elected City Treasurer? No! It is always a bad suggestion to be asked to give up your vote and voice in governance. Please vote No on Measure S. s/ Robert P. Dailey Cloverdale City Treasurer Sonoma