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MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Rob Brown, District 5 Supervisor; E.J. Crandell, District 3 Supervisor
DATE: August 27, 2019
SUBJECT: Discussion and Consideration of Consolidation of the Department of Water Resources Under the Authority of the Public Works Director.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the Chair’s direction, an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of Supervisors Brown and Crandell, our Interim Water Resources Director, Scott De Leon, and County Administrative Office staff was convened to review past research conducted by the Department of Public Works (DPW), and survey the functions aligned under DPW in neighboring and comparable California Counties. It was determined that more than half of these counties align Water Resources and/or Flood Control functions under DPW.
Background:
On July 19, 2016, your Board acted to separate the Public Works and Water Resources Departments. Concurrently, your Board approved revisions to the Water Resources Director Classification description, emphasizing the technical demands of the role, in recognition of the unique nature of Clear Lake as a large, species-dense and biologically diverse body of water.
In the time subsequent to these 2016 actions, it has become clear that a stronger administrative and personnel and project management focus is needed to support the diverse demands of the Water Resources function in Lake County. Your Board recognized this by approving Classification changes earlier this year, June 25, 2019. Interim Water Resources Director, Scott De Leon, has since added insight that many of the scientific functions are conducted by partner entities, such as the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, local Tribal Nations, State agencies, and contractors.
With Clear Lake as our defining feature, it is essential Lake County appropriately attends to scientific and other discipline-specific responsibilities when managing our Water Resources. Because this work is actually performed by numerous entities, administrative functions must be efficiently completed to ensure this important work can be appropriately prioritized and undertaken. Consolidation of Public Works and Water Resources historically brought efficiencies and opportunities for cross-training. Given the import of the functions of both departments, continuity and the capacity to respond to normal events, such as staff vacancies, is essential.
Today, the committee is recommending approval, by motion, to reconsolidate the Department of Water Resources with DPW. Timely action is important, so that staff can take next steps with our ongoing Water Resources Director recruitment.
FISCAL IMPACT: _x_ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
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FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): None
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): None
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The committee recommends your Board approve, by motion, consolidation of the County Departments of Public Works and Water Resources.