Board of Supervisors Tues Mtg 11-10-26 · Recruitment Strategy for County Administrative Officer

At its November 10, 2026 meeting, the Lake County Board of Supervisors discussed how to recruit a new County Administrative Officer (CAO), following notice of the incumbent’s retirement effective December 31. Board members expressed support for using an outside executive search firm and asked staff to prepare an RFP for the permanent recruitment. Staff cited an estimated search-firm fee of 20–25% of the CAO’s first-year salary, whether or not the firm places a candidate, and recommended running a county HR recruitment concurrently. The board also indicated that the RFP could include two other vacant director positions. No formal vote or contract award occurred, and the funding source for recruitment costs remains to be reviewed.

The board discussed public input, candidate confidentiality, a possible employment agreement for the next CAO, and the need to comply with county personnel rules; no ad hoc committee was formed. For interim coverage, supervisors were tasked with consulting SESAC and RCRC and bringing options back for discussion the following week. The board deferred a decision on whether to recruit an interim individual or seek an agency/contractor. Community members also raised job-description, budget-accountability, and performance-evaluation concerns; these matters were not resolved at the meeting.