City Hopes to Replace 2 Elective Positions

City treasurers and clerks would be hired based on merit, not their political connections, under a policy approved this week that will take effect only if voters pass a ballot measure March 26 that would change the positions from elective to appointive.

The adoption of the hiring policy Tuesday was seen as a tactical move to blunt criticism that officials would haphazardly appoint people to the positions.

Under the new policy, the city manager would hire both the treasurer and clerk after checking off an extensive list of criteria detailing candidates’ experience, education and other factors.

Council members have argued that electing city treasurers is dangerous because candidates need only be over 18 years old and residents of the city. Council members complained that they were held accountable for city losses in the Orange County bankruptcy, although, they said, they had no power over the actions of the city treasurer.

Opponents of the measure have countered that high-level appointive positions can result in cronyism and deprive voters of their right to decide who is most qualified.

Council members would still evade responsibility for the city’s finances if the measure passes, opponents said.

“You said when you put this measure on the ballot that it was to give you complete accountability,” said Nick Lall of the Orange Taxpayers Assn. “And here you are delegating that authority to the city manager.”

But Brent Hunter, executive director of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, which is actively campaigning for the measure, supported the move.