San Carlos Appointed City Clerk, Measure V, November 2009
From Ballotpedia
Contents |
A San Carlos Appointed City Clerk, Measure V ballot proposition was on the November 3, 2009 ballot in San Mateo County for voters in the City of San Carlos, where it was approved.[1]
- Yes: 3,900 (61.5%)
- No: 2,443 (38.5%)
Before Measure V was approved, the position of City Clerk was an elective position. Residents voted on the city clerk position every four years. To run for the office of City Clerk, candidates had to be a resident of San Carlos and at least 18 years old.
The San Carlos City Council referred Measure V to the ballot, arguing that if it passed, an appointive process would ensure that the occupant of the position is qualified.
Current City Clerk Christine Boland, who is a certified municipal clerk, agreed with the idea of appointing future clerks. Boland said, "That's always kind of made us nervous that anyone could run and certainly could be elected into that position with absolutely no qualifications." If the measure passes, Boland will serve the remainder of her current term, which ends in 2011.[1]
Reservations
Mark Weiss, the City Manager of San Carlos, said that one drawback to an appointed city clerk position is that it removes direct public oversight from the clerk's job. That type of oversight can provide checks-and-balances to the city council's decisions, he said. Overall, however, Weiss approves the idea of an appointed, rather than an elected, clerk.
Statewide statistics
According to the League of California Cities, 146 out of 478 California cities have an elected clerk.[1]
Treasurer's position
The San Carlos City Council rejected the idea of putting a measure on the ballot that would make the city's position of treasurer appointed, rather than elected, as is currently the case.[1]
California city clerks
The California Government Code requires each city to have a City Clerk. The code allows clerks to be elected or appointed. The clerk's office is responsible for
- Preserving official records of the City including agendas, minutes and public hearing
notices, contracts, as well as actions of the City Council such as ordinances, resolutions and contracts.
- The City Clerk serves in an administrative capacity as Clerk of the Council.
- The clerk directs municipal elections.
- The clerk is the filing officer for campaign and economic interest statements required by the Political Reform Act
- The clerk is the custodian of the City seal.
External links
- Analysis of Measure V
- Argument in favor of Measure V
- Official website for the City of San Carlos
- Measure V election results
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mercury News, "San Carlos city clerk measure headed for November ballot", June 25, 2009
 |
This California-related article is a stub. You can help people learn about California politics by expanding it. |
