San Carlos residents to consider appointed treasurer in election

“We’ve had many treasurers over the years, but the work transitioned as the city became larger and more complex with more budget categories,” Collins said. “We just retained this position over the years, frankly, because there wasn’t the will to do it; it was an anachronism we just didn’t bother to pay attention to.”

Should Measure L pass, the end goal of the council would be to appoint a member of staff in the city’s finance department, Vice Mayor Sara McDowell said.

“We do have a very modern finance department, we do have annual audits and so it makes the most sense,” McDowell said. “They’re already doing most of the job.”

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. The shift to appointment would allow the city to require certain experience and qualifications, as well as conduct annual audits of the appointee’s work.

“For me, as a resident and also an elected official, that doesn’t sit well,” McDowell said. “Anyone who’s dealing with intricate and complicated financial decisions should absolutely have the training and experience to do that job.”

Current Treasurer Inge Tiegel Doherty — who has said she is against the switch — is not a certified public accountant, but she previously said she has a “solid financial understanding, common sense and the ability to ask the right questions.”

Those against changing the position to an appointment said doing so removes direct authority from the city’s residents and gives too much authority to the council.

“While it’s tempting to argue certain financial qualifications should be required, those benefits are outweighed by maintaining direct citizen oversight,” the official filed argument against the measure reads.

Tiegel Doherty has also said she believes residents want independent accountability of city staff. McDowell said having someone from the financial department serve in the role will ultimately align with calls for more transparency.

“Our finance staff come to council meetings all the time, which are transparently public,” McDowell said. “I can’t think of a time when the city treasurer has come to a council meeting to present, give us updates.”

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.

Tiegel apologized at the time for what she said was a “not well thought out,” “emotional response” to the proposed moratorium.

Collins and McDowell said the desire to switch to an appointed position is not a response to this issue.

Tiegel Doherty is also up for reelection this November as well. If Measure L passes, it would ultimately go into effect after Tiegel Doherty’s upcoming four-year term.