August 21, 2025

Huntington Beach Appoints New City Treasurer

News Summary

The Huntington Beach City Council has appointed Jason Schmitt as the new city treasurer following Alisa Backstrom’s resignation. Schmitt aims to ensure transparency in tax collection and prudent investment strategies while addressing future budget deficits. His background includes roles in prominent companies and a commitment to community engagement. With a focus on fiscal health, Schmitt is expected to lead the city towards financial stability.

Huntington Beach City Council has appointed Jason Schmitt as the new city treasurer, following the resignation of Alisa Backstrom, effective July 1. The decision was made unanimously during the council meeting on Tuesday night, marking Schmitt as the third individual to hold the treasurer position in nearly 30 years.

Schmitt, 48, was sworn in by Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen. His appointment comes as Huntington Beach prepares for projected budget deficits in the future, despite having adopted a balanced budget for 2025-26. During his introductory speech, Schmitt highlighted the significance of transparency in tax collection and emphasized a commitment to prudent investment strategies. His primary focus will be on safeguarding taxpayer dollars and building trust within the community through integrity.

Alisa Backstrom, who held the treasurer position since 2011, announced her resignation earlier this year despite being reelected in 2024. The previous treasurer was Shari Freidenrich, who served from 1996 to 2010 and is currently the Orange County treasurer-tax collector.

Jason Schmitt, a recent transplant from Tennessee, relocated to Orange County approximately a year ago with his husband, Michael. He boasts an impressive educational background, holding a law degree from Harvard University and an MBA from Pacific College. Schmitt’s professional history includes a role as CEO of Old Time Pottery from 2019 to 2023 and experience with notable companies like Walmart, Amazon, Gap, and Mattel.

His selection for the treasurer position was the result of recommendations from an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pat Burns and Councilmembers Gracey Van Der Mark and Butch Twining. Notably, he has contributed financially to the city council campaigns of Twining, Don Kennedy, and Chad Williams, all of whom were successfully elected in 2024. Schmitt has a history of philantrhopic donations to both Republican and Democratic campaigns over the last three decades.

Schmitt has expressed his intent to approach his new role by gathering information and working collaboratively with both team members and residents. He underscores the importance of effective decision-making for the city’s financial health, which is crucial as Huntington Beach navigates potential budget challenges in the upcoming years.

In a personal note, Schmitt mentioned he has an 85-pound English cream golden retriever named Reagan, connecting back to his references of a 1984 political advertisement by President Ronald Reagan.

As Huntington Beach moves forward with new leadership in the treasurer’s office, the community is looking to Schmitt to guide the city towards financial stability and transparency. His extensive background and clear prioritization of community trust are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of fiscal management in the city.