Requiring the Office of City Clerk to be an Elective Position

In plain language

Measure A-26 is a citizen initiative in Grover Beach that got on the ballot by petition. It would make the City Clerk a job that voters elect, with a four-year term. Since the city was formed in 1959, the City Clerk has been picked by the city, not elected. The City Clerk keeps records of City Council meetings and signs off on city laws. The clerk also runs city elections and keeps campaign money forms, along with other duties. If the measure passes, the city must hold a special election within 90 days to fill the job until the next regular city election. A YES vote makes the City Clerk an elected position. A NO vote keeps it an appointed position.

Impartial analysis

Initiative Measure A-26 asks the voters whether the City of Grover Beach City Clerk shall be an elected position for a four-year term of office. Proposed Initiative Measure. On March 14, 2024, a citizen’s ballot initiative was proposed to make the City of Grover Beach City Clerk an elected position for a four-year term of office. The initiative petition gathered sufficient signatures for placement on the ballot and was certified by the Deputy City Clerk of the City of San Luis Obispo given the conflict of interest with the currently appointed City Clerk validating signatures for this initiative. Background. State law requires all cities to have a City Clerk and the position may be elected or appointed. Since the City’s incorporation in 1959, the City Clerk has been an appointed position similar to other cities in San Luis Obispo County and approximately 70% of cities in California. This approach enables cities to openly recruit individuals for this appointed role based on technical qualifications and skills necessary for the role. Effect of Measure. A “yes” vote on this measure means the City Clerk position will become an elected position with a four-year term. A “no” vote on this measure means the City Clerk position will remain an appointed position. The City Clerk’s responsibilities include keeping accurate records of City Council proceedings; recording, publishing, and certifying City ordinances and resolutions; keeping custody of the City seal; and administering oaths of office. The City Clerk also serves as the City’s elections official; collects and maintains all candidate campaign finance forms; coordinates, records, and retains City officials’ and City staff’s statements of economic interests; and helps ensure compliance with the state’s open meeting laws. An elected City Clerk may appoint deputies to assist in performing the functions and responsibilities of the City Clerk. This measure invites Grover Beach’s electorate to weigh the benefits of electing a City Clerk against the tradition and current practice of appointment. Approval of the measure would require the City to hold a special election within 90 days to fill the office of City Clerk until the next succeeding General Municipal Election where the position would be elected for a four-year term. THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF INITIATIVE MEASURE A-26. IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE MEASURE, PLEASE CALL THE CITY CLERK, WENDI SIMS, AT 805-473-4568 OR EMAIL AT wsims@groverbeach.org AND A COPY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU AT NO COST.

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.