Walnut Creek Measure T Would Make the City Treasurer an Appointed Job. Here Is What That Means

Walnut Creek voters have a short question on their Nov. 3 ballot: "Shall the office of the City Treasurer be appointive?" Measure T would end the city's practice of electing its treasurer and let the city manager appoint one instead.

What the treasurer does

The treasurer oversees deposits of public and trust funds, pays out city money on approved warrants, files monthly reports on receipts, spending and fund balances, and handles duties tied to collecting city taxes and license fees, according to the city attorney's impartial analysis. In 2026, the office is responsible for roughly $145 million in average daily funds, the analysis says.

Under state law, an elected city treasurer only has to live in the city and be a registered voter there. A city can set job requirements, including education and professional qualifications, for an appointed treasurer.

What a yes or no vote means

If a simple majority votes yes, the job becomes appointed. The city manager would make the first appointment when the current term ends in December 2026, according to the county elections office. If voters also elect a treasurer on Nov. 3, the switch would come in December 2030, or sooner if the seat opens up. The analysis says the change would save the cost of future treasurer elections. A no vote keeps the position elected.

Who supports it

The City Council voted unanimously on May 19 to put the measure on the ballot, according to a staff report. The report notes the job has grown to include overseeing more than $100 million in investments and requires knowledge of public finance and compliance law, and says more than 90% of California cities already appoint their treasurers. The council was asked on Oct. 6 to formally endorse Measure T, along with the Acalanes schools parcel tax, the regional transit tax and the statewide housing bond.

The yes campaign lists the full council, 12 former mayors and the current treasurer, Ron Cassano, among its backers. It argues that the only way to remove an elected treasurer who is not doing the job is a recall election. No formal opposition campaign appeared in the sources reviewed for this story.