Residents will still elect the city treasurer per a unanimous vote by City Council Tuesday night despite a recommendation from city staff to allow voters to decide if the position should be elected or appointed.
With former elected treasurer David Cohn's resignation after 18 months in office effective Wednesday and his recommendation the position be appointed, council decided to keep the status quo.
However, at a council meeting within 60 days, they plan to discuss the treasurer's responsibilities, salary and benefits, and hopefully eliminate the sort of ambiguities encountered when Cohn found himself the victim of extortion and his city-issued iPad stolen late last year.
The treasurer is paid more than $28,000 annually; council members earn approximately $6,000 per year. The city pays the treasurer's Public Employee Retirement System contributions; council members who opt to receive part or all of their salary pay their own PERS. Elected officials in Hermosa Beach may waive all or part of their salary and benefits, except for those associated with retirement, according to the Beach Reporter.
Council member Jeff Duclos said Tuesday night that the treasurer does not manage cash, does not write checks, and does not report to council or the city manager, some of which made for much discussion during Cohn's unfolding legal matter. As it stands, the treasurer reports to the voters, he said.
City Clerk Elaine Doerfling, who will prepare the November election ballot in July, did not say when the city would start accepting applications for the treasurer's slot. Three council seats will be decided in the election, as well.
Tuesday night, council did unanimously adopt a resolution approving Cohn's suggested investment policy and brokers list. They also assigned the treasurer's duties to the finance department until the November election. Doing so was recommended by City Attorney Michael Jenkins, who suggested doing so rather than naming an interim treasurer before the election.
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