OCEANSIDE --The City Council will try to fill Oceanside's vacant treasurer seat by appointment, rather than hold a potentially costly special election.
The position has been empty since Jan. 12, when Rosemary Jones died at the age of 88. Jones held the office for more than 16 years.
Though Oceanside's treasurer is typically elected by the city's residents, the law allows for a council appointment within 30 days of a vacancy. The only other option is to call a special election, officials said Wednesday.
City Manager Peter Weiss said an election would cost around $440,000, and it couldn't happen until Nov. 3.
The council showed little interest in that path. It voted 4-1 to start accepting applications for the seat. On Feb. 3, the council will conduct interviews and attempt to make a selection.
Councilwoman Esther Sanchez cast the dissenting vote. She said it was "dangerous ground" to appoint someone to an elected position for a nearly full term.
Jones was re-elected by a landslide in November. An appointee would serve until that term expires in November 2012.
Sanchez said she might consider appointing someone for a shorter stint, but City Attorney John Mullen said that wasn't an option under the law.
Oceanside's treasurer oversees two full-time employees and an investment portfolio valued at $181 million.
Jimmy Knott, a civic activist who ran for the position twice, losing both times to Jones, urged the council to let the voters decide. He said Jones would have wanted it that way.
Councilman Rocky Chavez said appointment could be a "fair and open public process."
The city clerk's office will accept applications until 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29. If the council is unable to make a selection, it will still have a brief window to call an election, officials said.
Oceanside's treasurer is considered a part-time employee. Jones made $22,500 per year, but it was not immediately clear Wednesday whether her successor would get the same salary.
Mayor Jim Wood has said he would like to eliminate the treasurer position someday, transferring the responsibilities to the city's finance director, but the council did not broach that option Wednesday. Such a change would require a public vote.
Many cities, such as Vista and San Marcos, do not have elected treasurers.
Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.
