Residents will vote on the fate of the elected Hollister City
Clerk position on Nov. 2, which city officials say is merely a
ceremonial position that costs the city about $11,000 in payroll
costs each year.
Hollister – Residents will vote on the fate of the elected Hollister City Clerk position on Nov. 2, which city officials say is merely a ceremonial position that costs the city about $11,000 in payroll costs each year.
After current City Clerk Frank Felice announced his retirement, city officials began pushing Measure J, which if passed would negate the need for an elected clerk and turn the official title over to the deputy city clerk. Since at least 1985, according to Deputy City Clerk Geri Johnson, the deputy position has been a full-time job requiring performance of all city clerk tasks.
Among other duties, the city clerk prepares agendas for City Council and Redevelopment Agency meetings, and attends and records the proceedings at these meetings. The city clerk’s office also coordinates city elections and publishes and posts legal notices.
Before announcing his retirement, Johnson said, Felice attended most of the city council meetings and read the roll call and the verification of agenda posting statement.
However, Johnson said, “There’s nothing in writing that mandates they do anything” regarding the roll call or agenda, or anything else.
San Benito County Marshal and City Council member Robert Scattini said Measure J makes a lot of sense.
“Measure J is a plus for the city. Geri (Johnson) does the work anyhow, so why put it up for election? I’m 100 percent behind it,” Scattini said.
The elected city clerk position was originally created because it is mandated by state code, according to Johnson, and is paid about $11,000 a year with benefits. It is the deputy city clerk, however, who does city clerk tasks and is a certified professional in the area.
At a recent city council meeting, City Manager Clint Quilter requested Hollister residents vote yes on Measure J to effectively eliminate the ceremonial position and save the city money.
Both Quilter and Felice were unavailable for comment Wednesday.
Jessica Quandt is a staff writer for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at jquandt@freelance news.com.
