HUNTINGTON BEACH : Longtime Treasurer Don Watson to Retire

After eight years in office, City Treasurer Donald L. Watson will retire from the post Tuesday.

His retirement comes as the City Council prepares to let voters decide in March whether to make the treasurer’s position elected or appointed.

Watson, 66, spent 34 years working in the private sector before he was appointed to the post in 1987. He was elected by voters in 1988 and reelected in 1992, with the term set to end in November, 1996.

Senior Deputy City Treasurer Patricia Lovelace is expected to oversee the office until late December, Watson said. City Finance Director Dan Villella is then expected to be appointed as interim city treasurer and will hold the position until the March 26, 1996, election.

Villella will return to his finance director position once the election is over, said Richard Barnard, deputy city administrator.

If voters decide to keep the treasurer an elected post, the council will have 60 days to name an interim treasurer, and the election would be held in November, 1996.

If the position becomes subject to appointment by council members, the city will go through a recruitment process.

Watson, a 26-year resident, said he believes it should become an appointed post.

“The position requires technical capability, and it’s difficult for the public to ascertain if someone has the credentials,” Watson said.

Meanwhile, Watson, who had announced his retirement plans in March, said that he intends to spend his time traveling and golfing.

“Hopefully, I can improve my golf game to where it’s halfway respectable,” he said.