RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. INTERVIEW the two (2) candidates selected as finalists for the position of Auditor-Controller; and
2. APPOINT a finalist to the position of Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller effective April 1, 2025 to fill the unexpired term of Robert Campbell following his retirement.
3. SET the salary for the appointee at the current salary schedule of $277,057.44 ($23,088.12 per month) plus the elected Department Head benefits as provided under the Management Resolution 23-554 identified under Section III - Benefits for Elected and Appointed Department Heads
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual total cost for this position is approximately $458,000. For the remaining 3 months of the current fiscal year, the estimated impact is projected to be approximately $114,000 which is included in the Auditor-Controller budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.
BACKGROUND:
On December 13, 2024, Robert Campbell informed the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator in writing that he is retiring from the office of County Auditor-Controller, effective March 30, 2025. The current term of office for Auditor-Controller began on January 2, 2023, and expires on January 4, 2027. Government Code section 25304 requires the Board of Supervisors to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will hold the office for the unexpired term; that is, until noon on January 4, 2027.
On January 14, 2025, the Board of Supervisors established a timeline for eliciting a search for qualified candidates for appointment to the position of Auditor-Controller upon the retirement of Mr. Campbell. The search included an extensive outreach plan with advertisements placed beginning January 17, 2025 and concluding on March 14, 2025 on the Counties website and social media outlets, in addition to with the following agencies:
• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC)
• California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
• Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA)
At the March 25, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting considered the applications received, including supplemental questionnaires, and supporting documentation from a total of four (4) candidates including the following individuals:
• Peter Karumbi
• Nikki Sow
• Donna Schmidt
• Yonghong (Jade) Bian
Following deliberations, the Board directed staff to invite the following individuals to the April 1, 2025 regular meeting of the Board to interview for the position of Auditor-Controller:
• Peter Karumbi
• Nikki Sow
• Donna Schmidt
• Yonghong (Jade) Bian
However, due to circumstances surrounding two (2) of the candidates, one withdrawing due to personal reasons and the other due to travel, the remaining individuals were invited to interview at the Apil 1, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting:
• Peter Karumbi
• Donna Schmidt
In addition, the Board adopted Resolution No.2025-92 authorizing the County Administrator to request certain criminal history and other background information about candidates for this position, as well as to secure a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 from each candidate. The FPPC Form 700 document received from each candidate has been attached to this staff report for reference.
Today’s item requests the Board to conduct interviews of the two (2) finalists for the position of Auditor-Controller and appoint one (1) individual who will take office effective April 1, 2025, following the retirement of Robert Campbell, for the remainder of the unexpired term ending on January 4, 2027.