Treasurer-Tax Collector McAllister to retire with 17 months remaining in term

San Diego County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister announced Friday that he will retire in a week, after 23 years in the post.

McAllister will leave the position on Aug. 2 after holding office for six terms. He last won election, with nearly 75% of the vote, in 2022; his current term doesn’t end until January 2027.

San Diego County announced his retirement in a statement, but did not outline succession plans for the office or a process for deciding how to fill the remainder of his term.

The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, however, provided members with a copy of a policy that governs vacancies of elective county offices other than the supervisor position. Under the current plan, an appointee could be named as soon as Sept. 9.

The successor would serve out McAllister’s term until the next election. County staff, according to the clerk, will recommend that the board address the issue at one public hearing, rather than narrowing applicants down to finalists for a second hearing.

The recommended timeline, if the board approves it in late August, includes an application period that would open Aug. 27 and continue until Sept. 5.

In the meantime, county officials said later, Assistant Treasurer Tax Collector Myrna Zambrano will monitor the day-to-day operations of the department.

McAllister’s legacy, according to the county’s Friday statement, includes “customer service, expanded community outreach and the fiscal health of the county’s treasury,” according to the statement.

Under his tenure, the county posted a 99% collection rate for property taxes and the county’s investment pool earned the highest credit rating.

Additionally, McAllister served as a member of the Board of Retirement for the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association, “ensuring the adequacy” of the $19 billion retirement fund.

According to the county statement, he also administered the county’s deferred compensation program, providing additional retirement options for employees, with around 13,000 actively participating.

“Beyond his one-on-one mentorship of countless individuals from diverse backgrounds, Dan has also demonstrated his commitment to empowering others through education,” the county said.

He led annual symposiums focused on financial literacy training for county staff and school district employees.

The second-generation San Diegan, a one-time U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from United States International University.  He also completed executive education programs in portfolio concepts and management at Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Prior to his election as San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, McAllister was a successful financial consultant and investment broker.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Updated 7:20 p.m. July 25, 2025