Carlsbad’s Measure C still too close to call

A ballot measure that would switch Carlsbad’s city clerk position from elected to appointed was too close to call Wednesday morning, with a majority of just 0.04 percent, or nine votes out of the 20,411 votes counted so far, opposed to appointment, in early unofficial results.

Of the 18 cities in San Diego County, only three — Carlsbad, Oceanside and National City — elect their city clerks.

Oceanside voters defeated a similar measure in 2020 that would have made both its city clerk and city treasurer positions appointed. About 80 percent of cities in the state appoint the position.

The city clerk position is required by state law. The person with the job is responsible for publishing public notices of meetings, taking minutes, responding to requests for public records and a number of ceremonial and election-related duties.

Proponents of the measure say having the city manager appoint someone to the position would allow the selection of someone with professional training and experience.

Opponents of appointment say an election provides more checks and balances and a higher level of public accountability.

The Carlsbad City Council decided in March to put the measure on the ballot after former City Clerk Barbara Engleson stepped down to move outside the city. Since then the elected position has been left open, and the duties have been filled by Faviola Medina, city clerk services manager and formerly the senior deputy clerk.

Engleson, first appointed to the position in 2013, and previous city clerks since 1970 have run unopposed.

City officials have said that if the position is appointed, it could be handled by someone already on the staff at a savings of about $40,000 annually.