Monica Cooper, City Treasurer

Carson, CA — Carson City Treasurer Monica Cooper said state law and a focus on safety, liquidity, and accessibility guide how she manages public funds, emphasizing a cautious approach to protecting taxpayer dollars while ensuring the city can meet its financial obligations.

“There is a state law that all treasurers must go by,” Cooper said. “Management of government funds as a treasurer, we must prioritize the safety of the funds first.”

Cooper explained that safeguarding public money begins with placing funds in credible financial institutions and ensuring protections against fraud. From there, she said, liquidity, or having enough accessible cash, is essential to maintaining city operations.

“We must ensure that the government entity has enough funds to pay its bills preferably for six months,” she said.

She added that when investing reserve funds, her office prioritizes stability over high returns.

“I have to ensure that I’m not so much focused on how high of a return I can get as opposed to how safe, how liquid those investments are,” Cooper said.

Cooper, who has served as Carson’s treasurer for a decade, said her path to public office began with nearly two decades of experience working for the state of California, where she managed large-scale financial operations.

“I did work for the state of California for 19 years,” she said, noting that the role involved overseeing “billions of dollars and hundreds of millions of dollars on a state and on a city level.”

Initially hesitant about entering politics, Cooper said encouragement from a colleague led her to consider running for local office when the treasurer position became open. Without an incumbent in the race, she saw an opportunity.

“I got into the race,” she said. “Very grassroots, but it ultimately paid off. So I’m here. Ten years later, I’m still here.”

Looking ahead, Cooper identified rising costs as one of the most pressing challenges for Carson’s finances.

She pointed to staffing expenses and public safety contracts, particularly with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as key budget drivers.

“Salary and benefits, and also public safety because we contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff,” she said. “Their contract price goes up every year.”

While the city has managed to keep pace with those increases so far, Cooper said long-term sustainability remains a concern.

“As time progresses, it becomes concerning because things are going up so quickly, the price of things,” she said.

Cooper also emphasized the importance of transparency in maintaining public trust.

She said her office works closely with the city’s finance director to provide regular budget updates and make financial information accessible to residents.

“Anytime a community member comes in and wants to talk to me, I invite them in,” she said. “We talk about what’s going on with the money.”

She added that public presentations and open communication help residents understand how their tax dollars are managed.

“I think that keeps Carson above and beyond many municipalities,” Cooper said.

Beyond fiscal management, Cooper said Carson’s diversity is a defining feature of the community and a source of personal fulfillment in her role.

“The diversity of this community is so great,” she said. “Learning about cultures and embracing other cultures has broadened my terms of understanding and relationships.”

She said community support plays a key role in keeping her motivated.

Outside of her official duties, Cooper said she stays connected to Carson through volunteer work and personal interests, including gardening and supporting local residents.

“I’ll sometimes go out and assist, help them clean up their homes or take them to the store,” she said.

She also enjoys arts and cultural activities, adding that those experiences help her maintain balance.

“I love the arts, any type, music, museums, you name it,” Cooper said.

Asked to share a personal detail, Cooper described herself as someone who enjoys humor and lighthearted pranks on her loved ones.

As Carson continues to navigate rising costs and evolving community needs, Cooper said her focus remains on protecting public funds while maintaining transparency and accessibility for residents.