Pass: 6,622 / 57.25% Yes votes ...... 4,944 / 42.75% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

NO

Impartial Analysis from the city attorney

Every city is required by State Law to have a City Clerk and a City Treasurer. Currently, these positions are filled by election by the voters every four years in the City of Campbell. A yes vote on Measure O would allow the City Council or City Manager to appoint persons to fill these positions. Out of the fifteen cities in Santa Clara County, only two other cities fill their City Clerk position by election, and only one other city fills its City Treasurer position by election. If this measure is approved, the City Council would be able to establish professional criteria for these positions. The positions would then be appointed by the City Council, or by the City Manager if the Council authorized the Manager to make the appointment. The appointments would take effect upon the expiration of the officeholder's current term in December of 2012, or any earlier vacancy in the position.

The City Clerk has a number of responsibilities that are prescribed by State Law. These responsibilities include keeping records of Council proceedings and ordinances, acting as the custodian of the City Seal, serving as the City's elections' official for municipal elections, receiving claims against the City, and receiving the financial disclosure statements of the City's public officials. In addition, under current local practice, the City Clerk also is responsible for providing notices of council meetings, compiling the Council agenda packets, and serving as the City's primary records manager.

Under State Law, a City Treasurer is generally responsible for receiving, depositing, paying and accounting for City funds. However, in Campbell, essentially all of these functions have been assumed by the City's Finance Director, with the consent of the Treasurer. Investments are handled under the Council's oversight pursuant to a comprehensive investment policy adopted annually by the Council. Consequently, the City Treasurer's responsibilities are presently minimal.

Currently, the City Clerk and the City Treasurer must be residents of the City in order to qualify for election. If Measure O passes, the City Clerk or a City Treasurer would be able to live outside of the City. These positions could also be consolidated with other positions in the City to avoid duplication of functions. For example, the position of the City Treasurer could be combined with the position of Finance Director.

According to the City's Finance Department, the approval of Measure O would save the City approximately $14,000 per year in benefits and related expenses for the City Treasurer's position, while the cost for the City Clerk's position would likely remain substantially the same. However, there would also be a savings of at least $15,000 every four years in election costs from not having these positions on the ballot.

/s/ William R. Seligmann
Campbell City Attorney

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure O. If you desire a copy of the Resolution placing Measure O on the ballot, please call the elections official's office at (408) 866-2100 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

City of Campbell

Pros and Cons, Ballot Measures

Tuesday, October 12 7:00 PM Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga 95070 (co-sponsored with AAUW) Wednesday, October 13 7:00 PM Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell 95008 (co-sponsored with AAUW)