Lake Elsinore Asks Voters Whether City Treasurer Should Continue To Be Elected

Lake Elsinore is moving forward with a ballot measure asking voters this November whether they think the city treasurer should be appointed in an effort to ensure the person doing the job is a qualified and experienced city finance and accounting professional.

At the July 28 meeting, the council directed the city clerk to send the ballot initiative, Measure T, to the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and authorize the filing of written arguments and rebuttals. The council also voted to have Councilmember Steve Manos submit a written argument in support of the measure.

“Tonight’s action is limited to the next election administration steps for the ballot measure,” City Clerk Candice Alvarez said. “The measure is already on the ballot, so this item does not place the measure before voters again.”

According to the election calendar posted by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, the impartial analysis and arguments must be filed by August 17, with rebuttals filed by August 27. Once the impartial analysis and the argument in support are submitted, they will be available here on the city’s website.

If approved by a majority of voters, the position of city treasurer will be filled by appointment following the November 5, 2028, election or if the seat becomes vacant prior to the election. 

According to the resolution calling the election, the city manager will make the appointment and can either appoint themselves, the director of finance or another professional with relevant experience, training and skills.

The council previously planned to put the question to voters in 2024, but ended up removing it from the ballot after concerns were raised that it would confuse voters to have the measure on the same ballot as the regular election for the office.