Memorandum
Date: April 14, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Interim Public Works Director
Subject: Consideration of Advanced Salary Step Appointment of Brian Powers to Public Works Construction Project Manager
Executive Summary:
The Public Works Department recently completed a recruitment for a Public Works Construction Project Manager position to support construction management of key County facilities projects. Current and upcoming projects include the Lake County Sheriff Administration Center (Armory), Hammond Park Improvements, Eastlake Sanitary Landfill Expansion, Behavioral Health Remodel, Kelseyville Senior Center Renovation, and others.
Following an open recruitment, the top candidate identified was Brian Powers, a retired County employee who has been serving in this same role in an extra help capacity for the past 26 months. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Powers worked for more than ten years with the County in project and construction roles such as Facilities Project Supervisor, Parks and Project Superintendent, and Public Works Construction Project Manager. Combined with previous experience, Mr. Powers brings over thirty years of construction and project management experience. His extraordinary experience and immediate ability to contribute with minimal onboarding make him uniquely qualified for this position at the career (5th) step.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
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: Consideration of Advanced Salary Step Appointment of Brian Powers to Public Works Construction Project Manager