Johnstown Mayor Amy Praught, pictured in 2022, will be the city’s mayor for another four years. Her next big task is replacing the resigning Thomas Herr, who was criminally charged with mishandling funds as treasurer.

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A sign for the city of Johnstown on New York State Route 67 on June 4, 2024.

Johnstown Treasurer Thomas Herr won a hollow victory Tuesday night: re-election to the office from which he resigned after being charged with stealing city funds, and as voters decided to turn the position into an appointed post rather than elected.

Herr received 450 votes in the uncontested race for a second four-year term, but Mayor Amy Praught said Herr told her following his arrest that he would not serve. In complete but unofficial results, 154 write-in votes were cast.

Praught said Tuesday night that the city’s human resources manager, Sue Conine, began a write-in campaign last week, but Fulton County elections officials said write-in ballots will not be identified and counted for about a week.

In a separate decision, city of Johnstown voters decided in a referendum, 513-490, to make the post appointed. The city has 5,236 active voters, state elections data show.

“I’m happy to support her,” Praught said of Conine, and that Praught gets to appoint the successor. “I’m hoping that’s the case.”

Conine has degrees in business and human resources, and certification in municipal treasury, Praught said, even though the law requires only that the treasurer be 18, a citizen of the United States and a voter in the municipality.

“I know we needed someone who could really dive into it,” she said.

However, some voters, while they agreed the position needs better qualifications, said voters should be the ultimate arbiter of accountability, not the mayor.

“It could work either way. But I think it’s better to be elected than appointed,” said Sandra Sacerio of Elmwood Avenue, after voting at the Johnstown Senior Center. She voted to keep the position elected, but did not vote for a candidate.

“The candidates truly need to be an accountant and need to be held accountable, legally,” said Helen Myzal of Ted Drive. But she said a weak mayor could have the same problems with an appointed treasurer as an elected one.

Herr was charged in October with two felonies alleging he falsified business records and stole more than $6,000 in payments made to the city, Johnstown police announced:

Herr was released pending arraignment in Johnstown City Court, Police Chief David F. Gilbo said in a statement. Praught said Herr resigned from the post, and agreed not to continue with the seat if he is re-elected and if voters decide in a referendum to keep the position elected, rather than appointed.

Herr had been blocked from City Hall and city finances since the investigation began in August, Praught said. But he was uncontested on the ballot for re-election.

“There’s no oversight,” Praught said last month. “And you see what happens with no oversight.”

The investigation stems from an Aug. 18 Common Council meeting, when lawmakers voted, 3-0, to “take legal and administrative action to preserve evidence and investigate alleged misconduct by the city treasurer.” Council Members Scott Miller and Bradley Hayner were absent.

“The Common Council has been made aware of allegations involving potential........

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