Memorandum
Date: October 20, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Subject: Approve Amendment Two to Engagement Letter for Investigative Services Between the County of Lake and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation and authorize the Chair to sign
Executive Summary:
On April 24, 2023, your Board approved the Engagement Letter for Investigative Services between the County of Lake and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation to perform an impartial personnel investigation with costs not to exceed $25,000. On April 25, 2023, the engagement letter contract amount was increased to $65,000 to cover the costs in excess of the initial $25,000 amount incurred as of that date.
Based on the costs incurred to date, including Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation attendance in depositions in ongoing litigation related to said personnel investigation, staff anticipates that the total costs of the investigation may reach $102,000, so the amendment proposes to increase the cap of investigation costs not to exceed $102,000.
This engagement letter contract is exempt from competitive bidding procedures pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-39.2 and Section 1.C.2 of the County’s Consultant Selection Policy.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!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:
Approve Amendment Two to Engagement Letter for Investigative Services Between the County of Lake and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation and authorize the Chair to sign