Council directs staff to prepare ballot measure to make city treasurer an appointed position

Clear Lake — The City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to submit a ballot measure to voters that would convert the city treasurer from an elected to an appointed position, likely taking effect at the end of the incumbent’s current term if approved.

Staff noted the legal process under the Government Code (including sections cited in the staff report) and explained that approximately two-thirds of California cities use an appointed treasurer model to ensure professional qualifications. The staff report said the city manager has served as treasurer since 2006 because no qualified candidates ran for the elected office; staff recommended the change would allow the treasury function to be assigned to qualified finance professionals and potentially folded formally into the finance director’s duties without creating a high-salary separate position.

Council discussed the logistics, typical stipend levels for elected treasurers, and the timeline for placing a measure; staff said costs for an election-placement (election services and legal work) would apply and that the change would typically go into effect at the end of the current term (November 3, 2026) if approved. The council provided direction to have an ordinance prepared for future consideration to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot.