Measure A-26 would solve nothing for Grove Beach

Voters in Grover Beach will decide this November whether to convert the city clerk from an appointed professional staff position into an elected office — and a sharply worded opinion piece published by New Times SLO argues the measure, known as Measure A-26, would solve no identifiable problem while saddling taxpayers with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new costs.

The Oct. 8 commentary, written by Grover Beach resident Steve Lieberman, has become part of a broader conversation about how San Luis Obispo County cities structure their local governments — a question that resonates well beyond Grover Beach's borders, including here in Atascadero, where the city clerk has long served as an appointed professional role.

What Measure A-26 Would Do

If approved by voters, Measure A-26 would change Grover Beach's city charter or municipal structure so that the city clerk is chosen by election rather than by appointment. Under the qualifications Lieberman described in his piece, a candidate for the elected clerk post would need only to be at least 18 years old, live in Grover Beach, and be a registered voter who wins an election — with no requirement for professional certification, municipal experience, or demonstrated knowledge of election law, public records requests, or the technical duties the clerk's office handles.

The city clerk's role is more consequential than many residents realize. The office manages official city records, agendizes and documents City Council meetings, administers oaths, handles public records requests, and often coordinates elements of local elections. In most California cities, those duties are assigned to a trained professional hired through a competitive process.

Lieberman noted that more than 70 percent of California cities use appointed professional city clerks, and that Grover Beach itself has used an appointed clerk since the city incorporated in 1959. None of the other six cities in San Luis Obispo County elects its clerk, he wrote — a regional detail worth noting for Atascadero readers, since our own city follows the same appointed-clerk model as the county's other incorporated cities.

The Cost Question

The most concrete criticism of Measure A-26 centers on money. According to Lieberman's commentary, passage of the measure would trigger a special election for city clerk estimated to cost taxpayers at least $300,000 in unbudgeted general fund money.

That figure drew attention because of what else it could fund. Critics argue the same dollars could go toward police and fire services, street maintenance, parks, or other community priorities — all items that Grover Beach, like most small Central Coast cities, juggles within tight general fund budgets.

Even after paying for the election, Lieberman argued, the underlying workload doesn't disappear. The clerk's duties still must be performed by qualified professional staff, which means the city could end up supporting an elected officeholder who arrives with no relevant experience — effectively paying twice for the same function.

A Political Fight With Regional Echoes

Lieberman characterized the measure as arising "less from good government than from a political temper tantrum," suggesting the push to elect the clerk stems from local political friction rather than a structural deficiency in how Grover Beach is governed. His commentary did not detail the specific dispute that led the measure onto the ballot, and readers seeking the full backstory are directed to the original New Times SLO article.

Supporters of elected clerks elsewhere in California have historically argued that making the position elective increases direct accountability to voters and insulates the clerk from pressure by city councils and city managers — particularly when the clerk's duties include records that may prove politically sensitive. That argument has played out in other California communities over the years, though Grover Beach would be moving against the prevailing trend both statewide and within San Luis Obispo County if voters approve the change.

Why It Matters in Atascadero

Atascadero residents don't have a direct vote on Measure A-26 — it appears only on Grover Beach ballots — but the outcome carries significance for the wider 805 region.

First, municipal governance experiments tend to travel. If Grover Beach voters elect their clerk, advocates in other SLO County cities could cite it as precedent for similar measures elsewhere. Atascadero, which operates with an appointed city clerk like its neighbors, could see copycat ballot measures in future cycles.

Second, the fiscal argument at the heart of the A-26 debate mirrors conversations happening in city halls across the Central Coast: whether limited general fund dollars are best spent on new elected offices and special elections, or on services residents use daily. A $300,000 unbudgeted expense would be significant for any small city in the region.

Finally, the measure tests a broader question about professionalization in local government. Cities across California have spent decades moving toward trained, certified staff in roles like clerk, finance director, and attorney. Measure A-26 asks voters whether direct election — with its minimal qualification requirements — is worth reversing that trend.

What Comes Next

The measure will be decided in the November election. If it fails, Grover Beach retains its appointed clerk model, consistent with county practice since the city's 1959 incorporation. If it passes, the city would move toward holding an election for the new office, with the estimated costs and staffing questions critics have raised.

For now, the debate remains a local one in Grover Beach — but the outcome will be watched closely by city-watchers across San Luis Obispo County, including here in Atascadero, where the questions it raises about cost, qualifications, and accountability hit close to home.

This article is based in part on reporting and commentary by [New Times SLO](https://www.newtimesslo.com/measure-a-26-would-solve-nothing-for-grove-beach/). Readers are encouraged to consult their sample ballots and the Grover Beach city website for official ballot language before voting.