To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ann Elliott, Human Resources Director
Report Title: CONDUCT interviews of finalists for the position of Auditor-Controller, CONSIDER appointing an Auditor-Controller to fill the unexpired term of office ending January 4, 2027, and take related actions.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. INTERVIEW the five (5) 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 August 11, 2025, to fill the unexpired term of Robert Campbell following his retirement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total annual cost for this position is approximately $454,000. The estimated impact for the current fiscal year is projected to be approximately $416,000, which is included in the Auditor-Controller budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
BACKGROUND:
On December 13, 2024, Robert Campbell informed the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator in writing that he was retiring from the office of County Auditor-Controller, effective March 30, 2025. The current term of office for the 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 a search for qualified candidates for an 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 County’s website and social media outlets, in addition to announcements 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 Apil 1, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, candidates were interviewed but the decision was made to post the vacancy again. The Wendi Brown Creative Partners (WBCP) agency was selected to facilitate the next stage of the search which closed on June 30, 2025.
Today’s item requests the Board to conduct interviews of the five (5) finalists for the position of Auditor-Controller and appoint one (1) individual who will take office effective August 11, 2025, for the remainder of the unexpired term ending on January 4, 2027.
The following individuals are scheduled to participate in the interviews:
• Joanne Bohren
• Arleicka Conley
• Carl “Rich” Eberle
• Gregory Lawson
• Harjit Nahal
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: