This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sm/ for current information. |
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Measure V Election of the City Clerk City of San Carlos Majority Approval Required
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Dec 29 12:09pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (19/19) 27.8% Voter Turnout (77,340/277,759) |
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
Shall the office of City Clerk be appointive?
This measure would change the manner in which the City Clerk of the City of San Carlos is selected. Currently, the City Clerk is elected directly by the people and must reside in and be a registered voter of the City. There is no current requirement that the City Clerk have any specific education, certification, or training. The City Clerk serves as elective term of four years and must stand for re-election to continue as City Clerk. Any vacancy in the position must be filled by appointment for the duration of the elective term or by special election. This measure would make the City Clerk's office an appointive rather than elective office. If this measure passes, any person serving as the City Clerk would continue to serve the current elective term until its expiration on November 8, 2011, or until there is a vacancy in the position, whichever occurs first. Thereafter the City Clerk would be appointed by the City Council which could adopt minimum qualifications for training, education, experience or certification for the City Clerk position. The City Council could recruit and interview for the position of City Clerk from among all qualified candidates, regardless of where they reside or are registered to vote. An appointed City Clerk would serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and as a department head of the City Clerk's department. Thus, an appointed City Clerk could be replaced due to unsatisfactory performance or if he or she became unable or unwilling to perform the job duties. Temporary appointments could be made to the position during recruitment of qualified applicants and no appointment within thirty days or special election would be required. The City Council would have the right to adopt an ordinance to delegate appointment authority for the City Clerk's position to the City Manager. If the measure does not pass, the City Clerk will continue to be an elective office.
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Arguments For Measure V | Arguments Against Measure V |
The selection of the City Clerk should be based on qualifications and experience - not the result of a political campaign.
Demands on the City Clerk have evolved over the past few decades. The complexities of the position have increased and the technical skills and knowledge required are significant. The Clerk's responsbilities include management of the City's electronic document management program, oversight of all municipal elections, compliance with conflict of interest regulations, following federal/state laws, and recording decisions of the representative government. Logic demands that the Clerk be selected based on an extensive screening designed to recruit and hire the person with the strongest technical, administrative, and professional skills. Once hired, an appointed City Clerk can be held accountable to perform to the same standards established for City department heads and executive staff. Under California law, the only qualifications to serve as an elected City Clerk are that the person be at least 18 years old and that they are registered to vote in San Carlos. This potentially eliminates qualified candidates living nearby but unable to afford living in San Carlos. You expect the duties of this vital position will be performed by an experienced and skilled professional. This can best be accomplished by selecting a person to serve based on technical skill, education, and relevant experience. Statewide, the trend has moved towards appointed rather than elected City Clerks. Seventy-six percent of California cities appoint their City Clerks. We join many groups and individuals in California committed to quality local government and encourage you to support this logical and necessary change. Your yes vote ensures the duties of the City Clerk are performed by a qualified professional selected on experience, education, and training, not by popular vote. /s/ Bob Grassilli, Mayor of San Carlos /s/ Christine D. Boland, CMC, City Clerk of San Carlos
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