LAKEPORT — Four people vying to become Lake County treasurer-tax collector had their job interviews with the county supervisors in front of in-person and television audiences Tuesday.
Chief deputy treasurer-tax collector Barbara C. Ringen, Middletown attorney Sorhna Li Jordan, Calpine Corp. analyst Alison J. Hill and Lenord E. Swope, a senior analyst for the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency, took turns explaining why they would be the best fit to fill the position for the next year and a half.
The Board of Supervisors (BOS) vetted the candidates in open session because treasurer-tax collector is an elected office.
Previous officeholder Sandra Shaul resigned in March to join the Marin County Department of Finance. Former Treasurer-Tax Collector Kay Lytton has been serving as the interim replacement.
The supervisors expect to appoint a new treasurer-tax collector no sooner than June 4. The existing term expires in January 2015.
The interviews combined to last about 75 minutes during the course of the Tuesday morning meeting at the Lake County Courthouse. District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock was absent.
In other business, the library department appears on track to have a familiar head officer.
The supervisors supported opening promotional-only recruitment to find a permanent county librarian, allowing only current county employees to apply for the position, which has been filled on an interim basis since early this month.
The Animal Care and Control Department is on its way to having full-time veterinary staff next fiscal year.
The BOS approved of contracting with veterinarian Jennifer Bennett, a Lakeport resident, for an amount not to exceed $140,000, which would cover the costs of a licensed veterinarian and registered vet technician.
The supervisors signed off on Information Technology Director Shane French”s request for family medical leave for child-bonding reasons. French asked for two weeks off at the end of June, and then, as time allows, one or two days per week afterward through mid-June 2014 or until his leave runs out.
As the summer boating season approaches, the BOS sent letters in support of House Resolution 1823, which would expand the federal ban on importation and exportation of mussels to include quagga mussels.
The supervisors endorsed a letter expressing their concerns about the governor”s proposal to allocate Clean Energy Job Creation Fund monies solely to schools and community colleges, thereby excluding other public facilities.
The BOS approved issuing two additional letters in opposition to a piece of state legislation that would require the use of non-lead ammunition while hunting, or otherwise taking, wildlife in California.
This week is Public Works Week in Lake County after the BOS passed a proclamation making the designation.
Next week”s meeting was canceled because of lack of business. The supervisors are set to meet again June 4.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #LakeBOS.
