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Loomis council debates who should appoint the newly appointed town clerk as staff study proceeds
Summary
Following a voter change to make the town clerk an appointed post, council members were briefed that, unless the council amends the municipal code, the town manager will have appointment authority; council discussed protecting incumbent staff during a pending organizational study.
The Loomis Town Council spent substantial time discussing how to assign appointing authority for the town clerk, after voters approved changing the office from elected to appointed.
Town attorneys and staff told the council that, under the current municipal code and the council’s prior delegation of authority, if the council does nothing the town manager will be empowered to appoint the clerk when the elected term expires in December. The council may choose instead to amend the code to reserve appointment for the council.
Council members debated the governance implications. Several council voices said appointment by the town manager preserves a clear chain of command and avoids politicizing an administrative position; others argued for council appointment to retain elected‑official oversight and public input. Multiple members stressed the need for a consultant’s organization‑wide staffing analysis before making staffing or appointment changes and urged staff not to eliminate or reclassify incumbent positions before that study is complete.
Town staff confirmed the budget includes funding for the organizational analysis and said they are preparing an RFP; they expect the consultant’s report and a proposed job description and salary range to be returned to the council later in the year (staff estimated a realistic completion likely in December or January).
The council did not amend the municipal code at the meeting; staff said the default (manager appointment) would apply if the council takes no further action, but also committed to bringing a draft job description and compensation recommendation for council review in advance of the transition.
Quote: “If you choose to do nothing, it will be a manager appointment,” the town attorney said during the discussion.
Next steps: staff to finalize the RFP, onboard a consultant, and return with an organizational analysis, job description and recommended salary range for council consideration. Councilmembers asked staff to avoid releasing positions while the study proceeds and to explore funding options to retain existing personnel if they are not selected for the appointed clerk role.
