ISSUE 1:  Hey everybody remember last November 5, 2025, when we voted on measure CA the charter amendment presented to the voters of the City of Compton, asking if we wanted an elected City Attorney or an appointed one with ten years of legal municipal experience.  At that time the City Charter called out for an elected City Attorney, see section 500 ENUMERATION OF AND TERM: other elected officers of the city shall be: A City Clerk; A City Treasurer; and A City Attorney. 

That was what it read until the November election when the voters, voted to change the City Charter to make the City Attorney appointed.  The problem is and was the City Manager along with the City Clerk and other city staff jumped the gun and changed the City Charter to reflect the majority of the voters wish.  And then proceeded to file a copy with the California Secretary of States Office.  They were and are under the assumption that the vote to make the City Attorney appointed took effect immediately, which was and is wrong for the following reasons.  (A.)  The City Attorney's office was occupied with an incumbent at the time of the election.  If you follow the City Manager and City Clerks thought/position, the City Council could at any time put a measure before the voters to get rid of an incumbent elected official by removing that office from an elected to an appointed position if passed by the voters.

That thought/position is defective because the current elected office holder is intitled to serve out his remaining term, a term he was elected to by the electorate of Compton, ending December 2026.  The only way an incumbent elected official can be removed during their term of office is (1.) recall process (and this was not a recall) or (2.)  a convection/sentencing in a court of law.  (3.)  Incapacitate.   (4.) Oh, and now allegedly by buying them out by the City Council with a settlement that has not been validated by a court of law, nor has it been presented publicly. This situation raises ethical questions about governance and accountability. 

Yes, I know the incumbent City Attorney was suing (just don't know for what), and it still remains a mystery to many in the community.  I was told it was cheaper to settle than to go to court.  What is strange, what happened to bring it to this, I worked with 15 different City Managers, 7 Mayors, 15 different councilpersons, 2 City Treasures and 4 Elected City Attorney's over a 30-year period without experiencing any similar issues or needing to resolve matters in this way. P.S.  and some of them had some very big egos!!

At the last Council meeting the City Manager read from the updated (sic) City Charter, where he said the City Council could appoint or elected the City Attorney, that only applies to a vacancy occurring during an ongoing term, and not for the commencement of new terms.  Also, the City Council only has 30 days to make the appointment after declaring the seat vacant, after that time if no appointment is made, they have to call for an election to fill the unexpired term, no ands ifs or buts, it is the law.

Boy it would have been nice to have this deal around when I resigned in the middle of my last term as the elected Compton City Clerk (sic).

The Compton City Council to cover themselves on this issue, they should formally ask for a legal opinion from the California Attorney General on when is the effective date of this charter amendment.  Some people in the City Council's inter-circle have a vested interest in leaving it like it is.  This issue requires a thorough review to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations and laws.

ISSUE 2:  Many of us remember when some six million dollars was stolen by a city employee in the City Treasures Office (for the record not under the current City Treasures management).  Question' what checks and balances are in place now, because allegedly the current City Treasure and the City Controller's office are not sharing information.  Example reconciling bank deposits against cash receipts reported to the controller's office.

ISSUE 3:  PERS Property tax, but I will have to leave that for another day, but (soon).

ISSUE 4:  Did you know that your rubbish bill is now on your annual tax bill.   If you have Compton water, you got your trash bill every month with your water bill, not anymore.  Put a little more money away so when you get that notice from your mortgage company, letting you know that your impound account is short or when you get that tax bill in November, you won't go into foreclosure trying to make up the shortfall.  Thank your current City Council for this problem.  They are trying to make it easier for the trash company to get their money without reducing our monthly trash rate.   There should be a reduction in our trash bill because the billing cost has gone down.   

ISSUE 5:  The current credit card problems.  No elected official needs a city credit card or State of California supported credit card.  I was City Clerk when the district attorney's office came down on the City of Compton for misusing credit cards.  When we all worked together travel expense reimbursements were turned around quickly (within a week) and efficiently to minimize disruptions and maintain transparency in financial operations.  It was only after a new council person was elected and requested/demanded and got a credit card that we had problems.

SEND EMAIL TO cdavis@comptoncity.com requesting further clarification on the council's financial protocols.  Or if you know something that our community should know about.

PLEASE NOTE: 1.  no ax to grind.  2. no gossip or unverified information should be shared during this process.

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