Several residents, county employees and local officials urged the Inyo County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 26, 2025, to retain County Administrative Officer Nate Greenberg, with several commenters saying the board had decided to terminate him; after a closed session County Counsel Vallejo reported the board "took reports from staff" and "took no action that's required to be reported by law."

The public comments centered on concerns about continuity in county administration, the effect on fire and emergency medical services and praise for Greenberg’s work on strategic planning, workforce development and interagency projects. The special meeting opened specifically to receive public comment on closed-session personnel items related to the CAO under Government Code 54957.

Fire Chief Damon Carrington of Big Pine told the board that changes in county administration have already pushed the county "three steps backwards for fire and EMS," saying volunteerism is down and that the county needs better communication on fire and EMS staffing and policy. Carrington said the county is working on a volunteerism policy to allow certain county employees to serve on volunteer fire departments but warned that many programs supported by grants cannot be relied on to cover recurring personnel costs. He also described what he called a conflict of interest involving relatives of department personnel, saying that until an independent solution is found "we're going backwards and not forwards." (Damon Carrington, Fire Chief, Big Pine.)

Randy Short, a longtime county collaborator, praised Greenberg’s relationship-building with DWP and described a recent on-site meeting at Buckley Ponds that led to a county–DWP partnership to install an accessible kayak launch for wounded veterans. Short said those outcomes were possible because of Greenberg’s ties and urged the board to keep him in place. (Randy Short, community collaborator.)

Sean Lum, a county resident who said he also works for county departments, urged the board to continue Greenberg’s tenure and praised the CAO’s professionalism and mentorship. A written comment from Megan McCammon called the board’s reported decision to dismiss Greenberg "profoundly disheartening," said Greenberg brought integrity and transparency to county government and warned the dismissal could reverse recent reforms. (Sean Lum, Inyo County resident and county employee; Megan McCammon, letter writer.)

An online commenter who identified herself as Rebecca delivered an extended testimonial describing Greenberg as "the most capable, forward-thinking, and effective leader" she had worked with in 25 years. She credited Greenberg with producing Inyo County’s first strategic plan, launching workforce-development efforts such as a CSAC Institute and staff podcast clubs, and lowering employee vacancy to historic lows. She also said many employees had approached her asking how to support Greenberg but feared possible consequences for speaking publicly. (Rebecca, online commenter.)

The meeting notice stated the board would consider closed-session items described on the agenda as public employee evaluation for the CAO, a public employee release under Government Code 54957, and public employment for the CAO. After convening in closed session, County Counsel Vallejo reported publicly that "the board met in closed session under items 2, 3 and 4 as described on the agenda, took reports from staff, took no action that's required to be reported by law. This meeting is adjourned." The board did not announce any formal personnel actions or votes at the meeting.

The public comments at the special meeting mixed appeals to retain Greenberg, specific operational concerns about fire and EMS staffing and volunteer recruitment, and praise for recent county initiatives led by the CAO. No formal board decision was disclosed at the meeting; members proceeded to closed session and provided only the county counsel’s statement on return.

No future meeting date or additional steps were announced during the session. Members of the public or county employees seeking more information were directed to follow regular county channels for agenda postings and board announcements.