La Mesa City Treasurer Matt Strabone is stepping down Aug. 12 to take a position as a legal adviser to NATO, East County Magazine reported. Strabone has served in the elected treasurer role for nearly four years.

The La Mesa City Council is expected to fill the vacancy by appointment instead of calling a special election, according to the source article. East County Magazine reported that the city plans to accept applications and interview candidates publicly.

The treasurer role is one of the city's elected offices, separate from the City Council. The appointment process will determine who holds the seat until voters next weigh in.

For Santee and East County readers, the change matters because La Mesa is one of the region's closest neighboring cities and often faces similar questions around local revenue, public services and civic oversight. The appointment process will offer a look at how another East County city handles midterm turnover in an elected financial post.

Source: East County Magazine, "La Mesa Treasurer Matt Strabone leaves to take on NATO role; city to fill position by appointment."