The same Board of Supervisors that voted unanimously in November 2009 to split the two departments and create a freestanding Water Resources Department in February 2010, voted unanimously again on Tuesday morning to merge Water Resources and Public Works, a move expected to save money and build on a strengthened staff that's carrying out the board's goals.
Scott De Leon, who joined the county in May 2010 to be the Water Resources director, was hired earlier this month to take over the Public Works directorship, as Lake County News has reported.
He pitched to the board the idea that the two departments be rejoined. De Leon told Lake County News in a previous interview that he felt that, by doing so, Water Resources could work more closely with other Public Works divisions to carry out important projects.
Another motivation is the challenging budget the county is facing in the coming fiscal year, which is forcing officials to look at ways to scale back operations and staffing.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox told the board that it was an opportune time to join the two departments, explaining that it will save money for both departments.
“That's what we're recommending be done at this time,” he said.
Cox, who is working on the budget right now and plans to present it to the board next month, said the savings from merging the two departments and eliminating the Water Resources director job will make more money available for projects.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the board made the move to separate the departments before, in part, because of personality issues and the fact that they weren't making headway on important lake-related projects.
Board Chair Jim Comstock agreed. “We did what we needed to do,” he said. “We took positive moves to get to where we are now.”
Supervisor Denise Rushing moved to merge the two departments under the supervision of one department head, with the resulting savings to be directed to the lake. The board voted 5-0 to approve her motion.
The board also looked favorably on a proposal to give De Leon a raise to the next salary step, which he didn't automatically receive because his transfer to Public Works director was a lateral move.
Cox said there is a one cent difference between the two jobs, and De Leon actually took a one cent per month decrease when he became Public Works director.
Cox suggested putting De Leon at the next salary step, salary step four. That would give him a 5-percent pay increase over the $8,085.64 that he was making per month, according to the county's salary steps.
De Leon is “clearly qualified” to be at the top step, but the fourth step will give him another step to advance to next year, Cox explained.
Rushing also moved to approve the advanced step appointment, with the board again voting 5-0.
Comstock thanked both De Leon and his deputy, Lars Ewing, for their work.
De Leon thanked the board for the opportunity, noting he was honored to serve the county.
Rushing told him, “I would like you to know how much confidence we have in this team.”
Comstock compared the staff to the San Francisco Giants – minus the torture, Farrington added.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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