GARDENA : Council Opts Against Election on Treasurer

The City Council voted against holding a Nov. 7 election to determine whether the city treasurer’s position should be appointed or elected.

The 4-1 vote came after months of conflict between the treasurer’s office and the City Council over the status of Gardena’s finances. City Treasurer Lorenzo Ybarra alleges that the city has fallen short of meeting its financial obligations in the past. City Manager Kenneth W. Landau, however, said Gardena is in good financial standing.

Ybarra contends that the proposal to hold a special election was part of Councilman Mas Fukai’s plan to oust him from office. Fukai, who was the only councilman to support the special election, denied Ybarra’s allegations. Fukai said he favors an appointed treasurer because it adds safeguards for the city’s money.

In February, Gardena’s Financial Oversight Committee made nine recommendations to help tighten the city’s financial controls. One of the recommendations was to have an appointed treasurer rather than an elected one.

The cost of holding a special election, estimated at $70,000, was the main factor in the decision to vote against the proposal, council members said. However, at its April 25 meeting, the council adopted an ordinance limiting the types of investments the treasurer can make.

Ybarra was elected treasurer in 1988 and reelected in 1992. His term ends in April, 1996.