On August 10, 2022, the City Council voted to place a measure on the November ballot to address two matters related to the City Treasurer's potion. To view the meeting, click here.
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS
OF MEASURE G
The City Council placed Measure G on the ballot to address two matters related to the City Treasurer position. First, the City Council determined that the City Treasurer duties are more like a part-time position than a full-time position and the compensation was inconsistent with the level of duties and responsibilities actually performed by the City Treasurer. Second, should a vacancy occur in the position during the first three years of the City Treasurer’s term, there is a strong likelihood that the City would have to incur the costs of an expensive special election.
As to the issue of compensation, a voter initiative passed in 1984, and amended in 1986, linked the City Treasurer’s salary to no less than one-half the highest salary paid to a city department head, other than the City Manager. Because the voters set the City Treasurer compensation by initiative, only the voters can change the level of compensation. California Government Code section 36517 states, “the city treasurer shall receive, at stated times, a compensation fixed by ordinance or resolution.”
In 2022, the City Treasurer in the City of Escondido will receive more than $150,000 in total compensation. Proposed Ordinance No. 2022-19 would reduce the City Treasurer total annual compensation to the same level as a City Councilmember, approximately $50,000 (including salary, car allowance, and health insurance).
As to the issue of a potential vacancy in the position, the proposed Ordinance would remove a vacancy procedure that is inconsistent with the procedure used to fill vacancies on the City Council. If a vacancy in the position occurs before the expiration of the term, depending on the timing of that vacancy, the City would most likely require a stand-alone special election at significant expense to the City. In contrast, consolidated elections allow government organizations to share the overhead costs of conducting an election.
Ordinance No. 2022-19, if approved by the voters, would repeal the City Treasurer vacancy procedures and thereby make uniform the vacancy procedures for all City of Escondido elected offices. California Government Code section 36512 authorizes a City Council to fill a vacancy in an elected office of the City of Escondido within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either by appointment or by calling a special election.
The change in City Treasurer compensation would not occur until the current term of office ends in 2024, but the amendment to the vacancy procedures would apply immediately upon voter approval.
A “Yes” vote would reduce the City Treasurer compensation to the same level as a City Councilmember and would standardize the vacancy procedures for all elected offices in the City of Escondido.
A “No” vote means the City Treasurer compensation and vacancy procedures would not change.
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure G. If you desire a copy of Measure G (Ordinance No. 2022-19), please call the City Clerk’s office at 760-839-4617 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.