Ballots are expected to go out mid-September

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Appointed City Clerk Kristin Janisch, who moved to Dixon two years ago and former Councilman and long-time community activist Michael Ceremello both pulled candidate nomination papers the day before the deadline. Both turned them in on the last day they could, hinting at a planned campaign strategy where the winner will only be in place one year until a regular election cycle rolls about in 2022.

In January, and after a 57% vote for support of Measure T where a “yes” vote supported changing the position of city clerk from an appointed position to an elected one, the Dixon City Council voted to separate the duties of the City Clerk into two positions; one elected and one administrative.

After that, the new City Council of which none supported the Measure, voted to transfer most of the duties of the long-time City Clerk position to a newly created Administrative City Clerk position, leaving minimal duties for the new Elected City Clerk position.

The proponents of Measure T decried the action as subverting the initiative’s intent.

In February, after a report by City Attorney Doug White on nearby cities’ compensations for that office, it was voted to give that elected person a stipend of $250 per month until November. Janisch was nominated by Dixon Mayor Steve Bird and confirmed by the Council as a temporary Elected City Clerk in March from a selection of three candidates including current Administrative City Clerk Lupe Ruiz.

Janisch works for District 3 Councilman Kevin Johnson in the REMAX Gold office. Ceremello was a proponent of Measure T. Registered Dixon voters will choose one on November 2. Ballots are expected to go out mid-September.