Measure T: City of Walnut Creek

In plain language

Measure T asks if the Walnut Creek City Treasurer should be appointed instead of elected. Today, voters elect the City Treasurer. The Treasurer keeps city money safe, pays city bills, and gives monthly money reports. In 2026, the Treasurer manages about $145 million in city funds on an average day. By state law, an elected Treasurer must live in the city and be a registered voter there. The city may set job and education rules for an appointed Treasurer. A YES vote makes the office appointed. The City Manager would appoint the Treasurer. This would happen when the current term ends in December 2026. If voters elect a Treasurer on November 3, 2026, the change would wait until December 2030. It could happen sooner if the office becomes open. The city says this would save future election costs for the office. A NO vote means voters keep electing the City Treasurer.

Impartial analysis

IMPARTIAL CITY ATTORNEY ANALYSIS MEASURE “T” Measure T presents to the voters of Walnut Creek the question of whether the office of City Treasurer should be made an appointed position, with the City Manager having the authority to appoint the City Treasurer. Currently, the office of City Treasurer is an elected office. State law authorizes a city election on the issue of whether to make the office of city treasurer an appointed position. Measure T was placed on the ballot by the City Council through Resolution No. 26-31. The office of City Treasurer is one of the offices that make up the government of general law cities in California. City treasurers are responsible for performing the duties set forth in Government Code Section 41001 et seq., including but not limited to receiving and safely keeping city funds, complying with laws governing the deposit and securing of public and city trust funds, implementing a system of accounting and auditing of bond funds held by the city, paying out of City money based on properly executed warrants, submitting monthly financial reports showing receipts, disbursements and fund balances, and performing the duties related to the collection of City taxes and license fees as prescribed by ordinance. In 2026, the Walnut Creek City Treasurer is responsible for management of approximately 145 million dollars in average daily funds. City treasurers may be either elected or appointed. By state law, elected city treasurers must reside and be a registered voter in the city in which they hold office. There are no additional minimum qualifications required under state law for the position of an elected city treasurer. The city may approve job specifications and minimum educational and professional qualifications for an appointed city treasurer. If a simple majority of voters vote “YES” on this measure, the office of City Treasurer in the City of Walnut Creek will become appointive and will no longer be elected by voters. The City Manager, as authorized by the Walnut Creek Municipal Code, would appoint the City Treasurer when the term of the current incumbent expires in December 2026 or if the voters elect a City Treasurer on November 3, 2026, in December 2030, or earlier if a vacancy in the office occurs. If this measure is approved, this measure would save future costs associated with candidate elections related the position of City Treasurer. If a simple majority of voters vote “NO” on this measure, the office of City Treasurer in the City of Walnut Creek will continue to be elected by voters. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Ordinance or Measure T. If you desire a copy of the ordinance or measure, please call the elections official’s office at [phone number omitted] and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. /s/ Steve Mattas, City Attorney, City of Walnut Creek

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.