Memorandum
Date: March 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lake County Board of Supervisors Ad-Hoc Committee for Public Works
Subject: Consideration of Consolidation of Public Services and Public Works Departments
Summary
On January 13, 2026, the Board of Supervisors granted conceptual approval to consolidate the Public Services Department and the Public Works Department, and directed staff to return with additional details about the fiscal and staffing impacts of the proposed consolidation for the Board's further consideration.
This item responds to the Board's direction and is intended to support the following recommended actions by the Board:
1. Approve the consolidation of the Public Works Department and the Public Services Department through adoption of the attached resolution; and
2. Direct staff to implement actions necessary to effectuate the consolidation, including final organizational structure, classification actions, budget preparation, and other administrative activities.
Discussion
In the summer of 2025, the Board implemented an interim leadership structure for the Public Works Department, appointing the Public Services Director to serve concurrently as Interim Public Works Director. This approach ensured continuity of operations while allowing the County to evaluate longer-term needs.
In October 2025, the Board established an ad-hoc committee consisting of two Board members, the County Administrative Officer, and the Public Services Director / Interim Public Works Director. The committee was tasked with evaluating organizational structure, leadership capacity, and opportunities to improve coordination and service delivery.
Based on the committee's evaluation, consolidation of Public Works and Public Services was identified as the preferred long-term organizational model. Consequently, on January 13, 2026, the Public Services Director / Interim Public Works Director presented the committ...
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