Steve Diels Is New Redondo Beach City Treasurer

Former Redondo Beach District 4 Councilman Steve Diels was elected city treasurer Monday. Diels’ victory was announced last Tuesday with about 455 ballots remaining to be counted because a 1,095-vote margin separating him from opponent Dawn Esser made it impossible for her to win.

The final count released Monday shows Diels won with 5,338 votes, while Esser received 4,183. Approximately 9,500 ballots were cast during the all-mail election, according to City Clerk Eleanor Manzano. 

The Redondo Beach City Council will certify the election results Tuesday. Diels is set to take his oath of office Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the city council chambers.

Diels said he will seek re-election after serving the remainder of retired treasurer Ernie O’Dell’s year-and-a-half term. His plan to decrease the city treasurer’s current $116,000 annual salary to $25,000, if approved, wouldn’t take effect until the 2015 election cycle. 

If re-elected, he plans to see his proposed reforms through, resulting in a less “bloated salary” that would benefit public safety, schools and vital services, he said.

Diels will, however, keep the current salary for the remaining current term. He told Patch that he spent $40,000 during this last election, so he is “basically working for free.”