Fairfax seeks applications for town clerk and treasurer

Fairfax will appoint a town clerk and a town treasurer to fill the roles until the election in November 2026.

The Town Council voted unanimously to initiate the appointment process at its meeting on Thursday. Town leaders decided against holding a special election in November, citing an estimated cost of more than $50,000.

“If we tried to have them elected, we’d spend a chunk of change, and we’d also have to wait and then they’d have to go through the whole process of running again,” Mayor Lisel Blash said.

Former town clerk Michele Gardner resigned on Dec. 11. Former town treasurer Janet Garvin stepped down on Dec. 23. State law requires the town to make appointments or hold a special election within 60 days of the resignations, said Town Manager Heather Abrams.

Applications are available at bit.ly/4agidSU. The deadline is Jan. 29. Interviews will held at the Feb. 5 meeting. The appointments will be made following interviews. Candidates must be 18 years or older and residents of Fairfax.

Elections for town clerk and town treasurer are not eligible for vote-by-mail only elections held in the spring, Abrams said.

Fairfax has 5,910 registered voters. The estimated cost of an election ranged from $53,190 to $59,100, according to a staff report.

The issue has been a lightning rod in the community. In November, town leaders attempted to convert the clerk position from an elected to an appointed position. The effort, Measure H, failed.

Abrams has argued that the elected town clerk position is unpaid and all responsibilities are delegated to employees. Clerks are responsible for ensuring the law is followed regarding election filings, public records requests, document management, parliamentary procedures, the Brown Act and other requirements.

Deputy Town Clerk Christine Foster, a town employee, handles the professional work required of the role.

The town treasurer is paid $300 a month for the role in the finance department, which is overseen by Finance Director Michael Vivrette. State law requires that the treasurer submit written reports of fund balances and investment reports to town officials.

Some on the council said the short timeframe left them little choice.

“The timing does seem pretty amazing how we couldn’t find out earlier. It’s almost like it was planned, to be honest,” Councilmember Mike Ghiringhelli said.

Abrams said a quick decision was needed in order to comply with state law. She said the meeting Thursday was the first regularly scheduled meeting since the resignations were received.

“I would come to you and say, you know, we’ve just received this, but we can’t control when people need to retire,” she said.

Councilmember Barbara Coler suggested asking candidates how their personal experiences might prepare them for the role.

“I would like to be able to make a more informed decision rather than someone saying, ‘I live in Fairfax and I like Fairfax,’” Coler said. “I’d like to hear a little bit more about their viewpoint.”