Vote no on A-26

As retired city clerks who have served a combined 85 years of public service for five different cities here on the Central Coast (46 of those combined years were serving Grover City/Grover Beach), we believe the position of Grover Beach city clerk should remain an appointed full-time staff position. We are writing to urge Grover Beach residents to vote no on Measure A-26.

The city clerk serves an essential role in local government, and those duties have expanded and become increasingly specialized, requiring specific qualifications, experience, and expertise. Today’s city clerk must be familiar with, and keep apprised of, numerous legal requirements regarding public records, elections, campaign and financial disclosure, the municipal code, and the administration of city council and advisory body meetings. 

Under an appointive system, the city clerk is subject to regular performance standards and evaluations pursuant to the city’s personnel policies. This process ensures the individual has the professional qualifications and competencies to effectively serve the city. 

In some cities, the elected city clerk is primarily a ceremonial position (i.e., administering oaths or affirmations, and signing and certifying documents pertaining to city business). These elected city clerks generally receive a small monthly stipend and in some cases city-paid health benefits, but do not perform any of the substantive day-to-day city clerk duties. Those duties are delegated to and performed by appointed full-time professional city staff. 

The statewide trend has been toward converting elected city clerk positions to appointive professional positions. We have seen that change right here in San Luis Obispo County. Voters in Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, and Paso Robles approved ballot measures in 2010, 2016, and 2018, respectively, to change the city clerk position from elected to appointed. These communities recognized that the modern city clerk’s responsibilities are better suited to a professional selected for qualifications, education, and experience. Today, every other incorporated city in San Luis Obispo County (Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo) has an appointed city clerk.

Grover Beach has had an appointed city clerk since the city’s incorporation in 1959. Measure A-26 would reverse more than six decades of Grover Beach’s history and a decades-long statewide movement toward professionalizing the city clerk’s office.

Residents of Grover Beach already have an important voice in their local government through public meetings and the election of their City Council representatives. The city clerk’s role is to serve the City Council, citizens, and staff in a neutral, impartial, and professional manner, ensuring that the interests of the public and the integrity of the city’s processes are upheld without favor or political influence. The position should be filled based on those abilities, not simply the ability to win an election. Further, running for elective office may involve campaigning and fundraising activities, which could inadvertently introduce bias or political motives on an administrative role intended to remain politically neutral.

Based on our years of experience as dedicated city clerks, we respectfully urge Grover Beach residents to keep the position of Grover Beach city clerk an appointed full-time professional position and to vote no on Measure A-26.

Donna McMahon, Patricia Perez, and Kelly Wetmore are all retired city clerks who served in the Grover Beach City Clerk’s Office. Send a response for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.

This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 5, 2026.