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Los Banos council places treasurer appointment measure on November ballot
Summary
Council voted to place a measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot asking voters whether the city treasurer should be appointed rather than elected (Resolution 7115). Staff said the treasurer currently receives a small stipend and that day-to-day finance work is performed by the finance director; proponents argued appointment allows professional recruitment.
The Los Banos City Council voted June 17 to place a measure before voters on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot asking whether the office of city treasurer should be appointive rather than elective. The council approved Resolution 7115, which directs staff to submit the measure to the county and complete required ballot materials.
City Attorney Mary Lerner explained the proposal would, if approved by voters, allow the city to recruit a treasurer based on professional qualifications and certifications rather than through an at-large election. The staff report estimated election administration costs for placing the item on the ballot at about $7,500; any future fiscal impacts from recruiting or compensating an appointed treasurer would be addressed through future budget actions.
Public commenters raised transparency and practical questions. Kathy Ballard said the recent shift to more transparent budgeting made her more comfortable with staff handling treasurer duties. Another resident asked whether the treasurer receives a salary in addition to the finance director; staff clarified the elected treasurer currently receives a nominal stipend (about $100) plus benefits and that most bookkeeping, reconciliations and reporting functions are carried out by the finance director and department staff.
Councilmembers debated the trade-offs between elected accountability and technical capacity. One councilmember said the office historically had been held by employees who had the necessary training, while staff said statutes impose specific duties on an elected treasurer and that an elected official who signs financial documents would need sufficient training to be comfortable certifying those materials.
After discussion, the council approved Resolution 7115 by roll call to place the treasurer-appointment measure on the November 2026 ballot. The city will prepare an impartial analysis and administer the election filing steps with Merced County as required by the elections code.
The resolution does not advocate for or against the change; it authorizes placement of the measure for voter decision.
