Memorandum
Date: November 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Brad Rasmussen, Chair and District 4 Supervisor
Bruno Sabatier, District 2 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of Recruitment Strategy for County Administrative Officer
Executive Summary:
Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer (CAO) is retiring, and her last day of employment will be December 31, 2026.
This item will offer opportunity to discuss recruitment strategies as a full Board. Topics of this discussion may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Consideration of whether CAO Recruitment should be led by Human Resources staff vs. an alternative, such as an Executive Search firm;
• Consideration of whether the Standard County Department Head/Administrator interview process should be followed (i.e., internal County screening panel, with subsequent Board of Supervisors interviews) vs. an alternative model, potentially including use of a community panel to provide recommendations regarding candidates to be interviewed by the Board
• Consideration of negotiating a distinct Employment Agreement, vs. maintaining the existing practice (CAO position included in the Management MOU, with employment terms mirroring those of other Department Heads and Managers)
We look forward to an engaging discussion, and both of us are confident our Board is committed to developing a process that will help secure the best possible candidate for CAO.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☒ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Direction to staff, as appropriate.