Supervisor pondering run for treasurer-tax collector as board narrows field for temporary fill-in

San Diego County supervisors are set to choose a temporary successor to former Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister from a group of four finalists.

Residents also will get a chance to question them during an Oct. 30 public forum before a decision is made in November.

Supervisor Joel Anderson, however, will not participate in the selection process because he is considering running for the post next year.

Anderson, who left the chamber Tuesday before his colleagues interviewed the nine candidates, did not make the announcement himself, but via a statement submitted to board clerk Andrew Potter.

“In fairness to the candidates Supervisor Anderson does not believe he should participate in the treasurer-tax collector approval process,” Potter said when he addressed the board prior to the interviews. “He believes his colleagues will handle this process well without his participation.”

Anderson, who also has served as a state legislator, said he will make his decision before the Feb. 4 filing deadline for the June 2, 2026 primary. He began his second term on the Board of Supervisors in January.

After interviewing the candidates during the meeting, the remaining supervisors voted to advance David Baker, Lawrence Cohen, Christian Peacox and Detra Williams as the finalists to temporarily replace McAllister.

The person who is selected will serve until Jan. 4, 2027, when the term ends.

Baker and Williams both work in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Baker is the chief deputy of tax collection, while Williams serves as the special functions manager.

Cohen is chief of staff to Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, and Peacox is the Carlsbad city treasurer.

The board also decided to hold the community forum, to let residents meet the finalists. After reviewing feedback, the board will hold another public hearing Nov. 4. According to county officials, each finalist will have three minutes for oral presentations and supervisors will again be able to question them.

Supervisors will vote for one of the finalists on a written ballot, with all votes being read aloud. A finalist must receive at least three votes from board members to be appointed.

Following a 23-year career as San Diego County’s treasurer-tax collector, McAllister announced July 25 that he would retire the following week. Under his tenure, the county posted a 99% collection rate for property taxes and the county’s investment pool earned the highest credit rating.

According to the county, the office collects over $9.1 billion in property taxes annually, including from transient occupancy taxes in unincorporated areas and the cannabis business. The office also manages the county investment pool, and acts as the paying agent for 42 school districts.

City News Service contributed to this report.