The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on June 25, 2025, to address the urgent need for a special election following a vacancy in the assessor's office. The meeting began with a motion to adopt a resolution calling for the special election and to waive Board Policy 2.2, which outlines the standard procedures for appointing an interim assessor.

The urgency of the situation was emphasized, as the Board is required by its charter to call a special election within 120 days of a vacancy. This timeline necessitates immediate action, as the election must occur by November 4. The discussion highlighted the impracticality of implementing ranked choice voting for this election, as it would require an ordinance and a two-year timeline to establish the necessary operations and technical requirements.

During the meeting, it was clarified that, according to California state law, the second-in-command of the assessor's office, Greg Monteverde, would serve as the acting assessor until the Board appoints a new interim assessor. If the Board waives Policy 2.2, it would allow for a more expedited appointment process, bypassing the usual requirements for applications and interviews.

The Board members engaged in a thorough discussion about the implications of waiving the policy and the qualifications needed for the interim assessor position. It was noted that any qualified voter of Santa Clara County could be appointed, not just Monteverde.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the necessity of swift action to fill the vacancy in the assessor's office and the complexities involved in the election process. The Board is set to make a decision on the interim appointment on August 12, 2025, as they navigate the legal and procedural requirements ahead.