Argument for Measure K

The City Treasurer is a complex job requiring a highly trained individual. Most California cities and all Santa Cruz county cities, except Capitola, appoint their treasurers. We appoint only our City Clerk. In the last 5 elections the treasurer candidate ran unopposed. This trend allows potentially unqualified candidates to become treasurer. Converting the treasurer from an elected position to an appointed one will ensure that only a qualified person fills this position.

Capitola’s daily financial tasks are performed by the Finance Director and accounting staff. Capitola’s municipal code provides no role for the treasurer. The Finance Director may be appointed treasurer, thereby eliminating redundant bureaucracy.

Oversight of Capitola’s finances is performed by the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) consisting of 7 citizen volunteers. Two volunteers are City Council members. Capitola is also audited by an independent accounting firm (reviewed by the FAC) that reports to the City Council twice a year.  These safeguards make an elected treasurer unnecessary.

Most importantly, the role of City Treasurer creates a dangerous conflict of authority between Capitola municipal code and state guidelines. An elected treasurer reports to no other city official and can claim authority which neither our municipal code nor our City Council intends. This conflict can cause confusion and inefficiencies whenever the treasurer and city officials have conflicting agendas. This conflict has happened in Capitola and should be prevented from happening again. An appointed treasurer will meet the requirements of the state but will also comply with the needs of Capitola by being responsible to our City Council.

The City Council voted unanimously to put this measure on the ballot. Join your current ELECTED City Treasurer and vote for an APPOINTED City Treasurer. Eliminate the conflict.

Peter Wilk
Capitola City Treasurer

Michael Termini
Mayor City of Capitola

Stephanie Harlan
Capitola City Council Member