Elections in San Carlos underway

Priorities for Layton include making a “downtown for all” by supporting small businesses and promoting economic growth in the city, as well as diversifying the city’s parks. Also, working for the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office, Layton said he would bring a public safety lens to the City Council. 

“I want to make sure that fire and police are always well funded,” Layton said. “As climate change progresses, make sure that we’re disaster prepared.” 

With experience serving on the school board and on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Layton said he knows how to already work within the city and how governing entities can achieve their goals. 

“My experiences mean I can lead on day one,” Layton said. ‘There’s always a million things to learn but I’d say I’m able to do it quicker than others.” 

Durkin, a resident of San Carlos who moved here in 2001 with his partner, quickly became involved in the city. He currently serves on the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, and has organized the hometown days parade for the past five years. He also serves on the Museum of San Carlos History board, and feels he has had a significant impact on the increased understanding of San Carlos’ history.

“I’m a man of the community, a very active volunteer,” Durkin said. “If there’s something or an event going on, they’re more than likely to see me participating and helping out if I can.”

During his last campaign, Durkin opted to be a “keep elections affordable” candidate by not raising funds to send out mailers, and is considering following a similar principle this time around.

Dugan has served on the City Council since elected in 2020. Prior to this role, he was a planning commissioner for the city and served in the U.S. Army. Dugan ran his former campaign with priorities of public safety, housing, traffic and infrastructure.

With incumbent Councilmember Ron Collins announcing he will not seek reelection, the filing period to submit nomination papers extends to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 to non-incumbent candidates. Layton, at the time of publication, has not submitted all necessary paperwork yet. 

San Carlos is one of the only cities in the county that still elects their councilmembers at-large rather than by district. 

Residents will also vote on its city treasurer, with incumbent Inge Tiegel Doherty currently the only candidate vying for the position. Elected in 2020, she has long worked within the San Carlos community, serving on the Economic Development Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, and two terms on City Council. 

“I have been very privileged to be able to serve San Carlos city voters and residents in a lot of different capacities,” Tiegel Doherty said. “I believe that as long as the voters are willing to reelect me, I’m willing to serve.”

That exact ability for voters to have a say on the treasurer position is also on the ballot this November. Proposed in June, the measure asks residents if the position should rather be an appointment made by council. 

The only qualifications required of elected city treasurers by state law are that they are at least 18 years old and registered voters of the city, and San Carlos cannot establish other requirements. 

“This position performs critical city functions that should require specialized education and experience to properly discharge these duties,” the resolution reads. 

Neighboring cities that have made such a change to appointed treasures include Belmont, San Bruno, Millbrae and South San Francisco. 

After speaking to residents while getting the required signatures to run for the position, Tiegel Doherty said she has heard a general desire for an independent accountability of city staff.

“If it’s an appointment, the treasurer would report to the City Manager, and it eliminates the checks and balances that San Carlos residents and voters have come to want,” Tiegel Doherty said. 

While Tiegel Doherty is not a certified public accountant, she said she has a “solid financial understanding, common sense and the ability to ask the right questions.” 

In 2022, Tiegel Doherty was censured for likely violating five sections of the city code of conduct by failing to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, attempting to direct the city manager, retaliating against a member of the public, using her official title when seeking personal gain and using her title when sharing her personal opinions on a city policy. She was trying to drum up opposition to a development moratorium in North East San Carlos.

Tiegel apologized at the time for what she said was a “not well thought out” “emotional response” to the proposed moratorium. Councilmembers did not reference the issue when sharing their support for discussing whether to change the position from elected to appointed.