Ken Paulk appointed; 5th in 4 years

Kenneth Paulk, whose career of more than 40 years primarily has been as an apparel company executive, is Benicia’s new city treasurer.

Benicia City Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Paulk to complete the term of the late H.R. Autz, who died in office May 16. The term ends Dec. 31, 2016.

Autz himself was appointed Oct. 16, 2012, to complete the term originally begun by Robert Langston, who was elected in 2011 after a campaign against Autz, but who died in office Aug. 24, 2012.

The other candidate under consideration Tuesday, John Potter, also presented a strong background.

Potter’s career began with the U.S. Navy, after which he administered the finances of his alumni association, became involved in public finance and budgets during his term on the Benicia Unified School District Governing Board, and managed the contract as PG&E’s controller at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. He became familiar with city finances through his experience in the Benicia-Tula Sister Cities program.

Paulk had sought the treasurer’s post the night the Council picked Autz instead, with members praising both men but citing Autz’s participation in the 2011 election as a reason for the choice.

Likewise, both Paulk and Potter were lauded for seeking the treasurer’s post, but Councilmembers gave Paulk the nod for having sought the position twice.

“You made a good decision,” Potter told the Council.

“Both of you are friends of mine,” Mayor Elizabeth Patterson said. “Both of you are men of integrity.”

In a move similar to the encouragement she gave Paulk to continue his volunteerism with the city, she told Potter of a vacancy on the city’s Finance Committee, and suggested he apply. “I wouldn’t want to lose that background,” she said.

“You both have a great background,” Councilmember Mark Hughes said. “You’re both qualified.”

But he joined the rest of the panel in giving the edge to Paulk because it was his second application for the job.

Speaking first, Potter recited his career, then told the Council he hoped that as treasurer he could analyze the merit of an elected treasurer.

Whether to keep a city treasurer, and whether the position should be elected or appointed, have been questions in a recurring Council debate that will be taken up again in time for the panel to decide whether to put the matter before voters Nov. 4.

In answer to Council questions about the city’s investments policy, Potter said the Council is in the position of listening to its consultants concerning its investments. “If the company makes a mistake, you suffer,” he said.

He told the panel he had the experience to do the job, and, when asked if he would serve the entire term, said, “I plan to make it that long.”

Paulk said he was sad that the deaths of Langston and Autz made Tuesday’s appointment necessary. After Langston’s election to treasurer, he and Paulk developed a close friendship, and it was in Langston’s honor that Paulk sought the treasurer’s post.

He acknowledged Tuesday that the treasurer’s position one day could go away, but said he planned to “add value” while he had the job. He also asked the Council to keep the $200 monthly stipend, incidentals, reimbursements and retirement benefits normally offered the treasurer.

Paulk reminded the Council he was an executive with such widely recognized firms as Levi’s, Guess, Stetson and Charlie One Horse during his 40-year retail career. He currently is in Home Depot management and is an independent real estate agent as well as a food columnist for The Herald.

He said he noticed in the past that city investments hadn’t produced the rates he thought they should, though he added that that has changed. He said he wouldn’t comment further on the topic “until I’ve drilled down.”

He told the Council, “I will do anything to add value” to the treasurer’s position. Saying he has been fortunate to work for great companies for many years, he explained, “It’s my time to give back. You can count on me.”