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San Luis Obispo County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Measure F-10
Two-Year Term for Elected Mayor
City of Atascadero
Ordinance - Majority Approval Required

Pass: 5706 / 55.66% Yes votes ...... 4545 / 44.34% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 23 11:12am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (15/15)
92.7% Voter Turnout (10251/11059)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the term of office of mayor be two years?

Impartial Analysis from Brian A. Pierik,
City Attorney
There are five City Council Members in the City of Atascadero.

Currently, one of the five Council Members serves as Mayor, who is selected by a majority vote of the Council. This procedure is authorized by Government Code Section 36801. However, upon a majority vote of the citizens of a city on a ballot measure, there can be a direct election of the mayor by voters pursuant to Government Code Sections 34900 -
34906.

A mayor elected by the voters is a member of the city council and has all of the powers and duties of a member of the city council. A mayor elected by the voters has the same powers as a mayor selected by a vote of the City Council. Government Code § 34903.

There are three measures on the ballot relating to the election of Mayor in the City of Atascadero:

1. Shall the electors elect a Mayor and four Council Members? Yes or No.
2. Shall the term of office of mayor be two years? Yes or No.
3. Shall the term of office of mayor be four years? Yes or No.

Voters may vote on one, two or all three of these measures. The first measure asks whether the voters shall elect the Mayor and four Council Members. Since the Council Members in Atascadero are currently elected by the voters, the only change if the first measure is passed would be to provide for the Mayor to be elected by the voters rather than selected by the City Council. If the first measure receives a majority of yes votes at the election, then the term of the Mayor, two years or four years, shall be that preferred by a majority of those voting on the measures.

   Official Information

City of Atascadero
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Arguments For Measure F-10 Arguments Against Measure F-10
(No arguments in favor were submitted)

  • The two-year term fails to provide the stability of vision, goals and priorities which is the advantage of a four year term of office.
  • A 2-year term ensures that the mayor is running for office constantly; by the end of their first year of office, they are required to immediately begin campaigning for re-election for their entire second year, a distraction from the duties of the mayor and an irritation to the electorate.
  • A 2-year term is not as cost effective for citizens or candidates as is a four year term of office. Election campaigns are costly and some highly qualified candidates will opt not to run for the office of mayor if it is a two year term.
  • City council members are currently elected for 4-year terms. Why should the mayor be any different?
  • A 2-year term will occur on "off" election years rather than on presidential election years, which usually means a lower voter turnout.

Atascadero residents deserve a full-time mayor. A four year term will provide citizens with a mayor that will effectively represent them for a reasonable length of time.

s/ Roberta J. Fonzi, Mayor, City of Atascadero
s/ Jerry Clay, Atascadero City Councilman
s/ Bob Wilkins, Business Owner, 1st Mayor of Atascadero
s/ Jay De Cou, Business Owner
s/ Ron Walters, President, A Better Atascadero

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