CLEARLAKE — The Clearlake City Council Thursday decided how it will proceed with filling its vacant City Treasurer position. While Interim Administrator Stephen Albright said the decision was political in nature and as such he would not provide a recommendation, he did, however, outline the council”s options.
Ultimately, the council voted to proceed with option No. 1, which will call for consideration of the voters to eliminate the City Treasurer position. Albright said many municipalities have taken similar actions.
“The vast majority of cities in California have eliminated the elected positions of City and Treasurer and instead these functions have been delegated to professionally staffed positions,” Albright said. “The apparent reasons for doing so are to assure that persons who fulfill these responsibilities have certain knowledge, skills, experience and training in these fields.”
Councilwoman Judy Thein said she supported elimination of the position because it has not been fully utilized since inception and that a staff appointment would save the city money. “That job has not bee utilized to the capacity described in 30 years,” she said.
Vice Mayor Joey Luiz said that while he would prefer to have another set of eyes providing oversight, the council”s inability to alter the job description of the City Treasurer, as is prohibited by state law, leaves little choice for the council. Luiz, along with all members of the council were in favor of bringing the decision back to the voters.
Elimination of the City Treasurer position requires a vote of Clearlake residents at the next General Election, scheduled for 2012. In proceeding with this option the council indicated that it will likely appoint Finance Director Mike Vivrette to fulfill the duties of the position. However, such action requires public notification prior to actual appointment action. The item will be brought back before the council for consideration of appointment.
The council received six applications seeking appointment to the position. Thein said while the applications were impressive, none of the candidates indicated any experience with municipal finances.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
