Pass: 3,162 / 50.66% Yes votes ...... 3,080 / 49.34% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The California Government Code requires each city to have a City Clerk, who is to be either elected or appointed. The City Clerk's office serves as the records center for official actions of the City Council and is responsible for the preparation of minutes of the City Council meetings, preparation and posting of Council agendas, publication of public hearing notices and the filing and preservation of City Council resolutions and ordinances. The City Clerk also directs municipal elections, is the filing officer for campaign and economic interest statements required by the Political Reform Act and is custodian of the City seal.

This measure would change the manner in which the City Clerk of the City of Ceres is selected. Currently, the City Clerk is elected directly by voters of the City and is required to reside in and be a registered voter of the City.

There is, however, no requirement that an elected City Clerk have any specific education, certification or training. The City Clerk serves as an elected official for a term of four years and must stand for re-election to continue as City Clerk.

This measure would make the City Clerk's position an appointive rather than an elective office. If this measure passes, any person serving as the City Clerk would continue to serve for the elective term until expiration of the term on November 6, 2007. After that date the City Clerk would be appointed by the City Council unless the City Council elects to delegate its appointive power to the City Manager. The City Council could adopt minimum qualifi cations for training, education, experience or certification for the City Clerk position, and the City Clerk could be replaced due to unsatisfactory performance.

If the measure does not pass, the City Clerk will continue to be an elective office.

Michael L. Lyions
City Attorney, Ceres, CA