Walnut Creek council approves handbook changes, budget amendments and sends treasurer question to November ballot

Walnut Creek’s City Council on Tuesday approved a set of procedural and budget actions and voted to ask residents on the November ballot whether the city treasurer should be appointed rather than elected.

On the consent calendar the council approved routine items and then considered two items pulled for brief discussion. Mayor Kevin Wilk moved to adopt a proclamation recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and to direct staff to raise the rainbow flag at City Hall beginning June 1; the council approved the motion.

The council then debated proposed revisions to the City Council handbook (item 2e). Staff clarified an addendum to section 9.7 that would allow a recess following a remote‑access disruption "for one hour or until service can be restored, whichever is earlier," rather than requiring waiting the full hour in every case. Councilmembers discussed the timing of mayor and mayor pro tem elections in December and asked staff to study alternatives; the council approved the handbook changes and directed staff to return with options and clarifications.

During budget item deliberations Administrative Services Director Kirsten Lacasse presented proposed adjustments to the FY27 adopted budget. Lacasse said the recommended adjustments include approximately $550,000 in additional general‑fund revenue, $50,000 in net expenditure savings, and a proposed increase in the contribution to fund balance to roughly $760,000. Measure O changes include rightsizing interest earnings, recognition of debt service for Heather Farm Park funding and a proposed Measure O‑funded emergency management analyst to support community preparedness; the net Measure O impact was estimated at about $20,000 additional costs under conservative assumptions. Council members from the finance committee recommended the adjustments and the council approved the amendments.

On public safety funding and equipment, Police Chief Ryan Hibbs told the council the department had received a $1,000,000 federal earmark toward a planned 10‑year body‑worn camera contract and that staff have selected a vendor; the city has not yet executed a contract.

Finally, the council voted to place a ballot measure on the November 3, 2026 municipal election asking residents whether to transition the office of city treasurer from elected to appointed. Staff cited Government Code provisions allowing cities to submit the question and said an appointed treasurer would better align the role with professional finance staff. The resolution directs the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and authorizes the mayor and mayor pro tem to file the city’s pro and rebuttal arguments if needed.

All three formal votes reported during the meeting (consent calendar, the FY27 amendments and the resolution to place the treasurer question on the ballot) carried on roll‑call votes with the council voting Aye as recorded by the clerk. The city clerk recorded the ayes during each roll call.

The council gave staff follow‑up directions: study options and timing for the mayor/mayor pro tem election placement, return with clarification on handbook language, implement the outreach plan timeline for the fee study and fee recommendations this summer, and prepare the impartial analysis and materials necessary for the ballot measure deadlines in August.