Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
January 25, 2010
Next Tuesday is a big voting day for the primary elections for many federal, state, and county elections (click here to view a copy of your sample ballot). If you are registered for a political party, it is important to vote your choice to run for the general election in November.
If you are not registered to a party, you can still vote February 2. You may not be aware there is a City proposition on the ballot as well. We have not made a big deal out of it, but Tuesday’s ballot includes the following question for O’Fallon voters:
PROPOSITION TO DISCONTINUE THE ELECTED OFFICE
OF
CITY TREASURER
Shall the City of O'Fallon discontinue the elected office of
City Treasurer and devolve the duties of the Treasurer on
other City offices?
Yes ___
No ___
The placement of the proposition is in no way a judgment on current Treasurer David Hursey’s abilities in the position. Mayor, City Council, and staff have always had a strong relationship with Mr. Hursey and he has been regularly consulted on City investments. The reason for elimination of an elected treasurer is the reasoning that the City’s finances are better managed under a well-qualified appointed official directly accountable to the City Council than an elected treasurer position where no finance or management experience is required.
In 2003, the City Council placed the Director of Finance in charge of the City’s budgeting, auditing, reporting, accounting and other fiscal management procedures in all municipal departments, boards and commissions. Creation of the Director of Finance and Budget Officer positions superseded all duties of an elected treasurer, but did not eliminate the position of treasurer.
If approved by the voters, David Hursey will serve out his term until April 2013 and the position will expire. If the proposition fails, the City Treasurer position will continue and the election of a treasurer will take place in 2013 as usual along with other municipal elected offices.
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