Mono County supervisors approve consent items, hire economic development director; reject county counsel contract

Mono County supervisors at a Jan. 21 meeting in Mammoth Lakes approved a seven-item consent calendar, voted to hire the county—s Economic Development Director under a contract and declined to approve an employment agreement for an Assistant County Counsel.

The board unanimously approved routine business items described on the consent calendar, then adopted a contract to make the current interim Economic Development Director permanent. The county did not approve the proposed employment agreement for Assistant County Counsel Anne Friebolth; after discussion there was no second to the motion and the item failed for lack of a second.

Why it matters: The consent calendar vote clears a set of routine administrative matters the county handles in batches. Hiring a permanent Economic Development Director formalizes an in-house leader after a months-long interim period and a recruitment process; declining the assistant county counsel agreement leaves the county counsel—s office to continue with a contractor arrangement for that position until the board or county counsel returns with a new recommendation.

Key details - Consent calendar: The board approved seven items listed on the agenda (travel authorization, two updates to conflict-of-interest codes, appointments to the Wheeler Crest Design Review Committee, a request for qualifications for recreation support services, distribution of excess proceeds from a tax sale and the monthly treasury report). The vote was unanimous. - Economic Development director: After a national recruitment and internal interviews, the board voted 5-0 to approve a contract to place Liz (last name not provided in the meeting transcript) into the Economic Development Director position. County staff read the fiscal impact: $81,462 for the remainder of FY 2024-25 (salary $58,190; benefits $23,272) and $185,835 for a full year (salary $132,746; benefits $53,089). The county said the position cost is included in the department—s adopted budget for FY 24-25. - Assistant County Counsel employment agreement: County Counsel Christopher Beck introduced an item to formalize Anne Friebolth as an employee after a year on contract. Board members asked about recruitment history and the county—s remote-work policy; several members said they prefer to recruit local, in-office candidates where feasible. The motion to approve the employment agreement failed for lack of a second; counsel said the item would be returned at a future meeting, and staff were asked to provide a cost comparison of contract vs. employee arrangements. - Assessment Appeals Board: The board approved removal of one regular member (appointed in October) for failure to appear, and directed that nominations be submitted to the Clerk-Recorder's office by the first meeting in February so the vacancy can be filled. The action passed 5-0.

Votes at a glance (official outcomes) - Consent calendar (seven items): approved, vote 5-0. - Agreement: Assistant County Counsel (employment): motion failed for lack of a second; no formal approval. - Agreement: Economic Development Director (contract to appoint Liz): approved, vote 5-0. - Assessment Appeals Board: removal of regular member and solicitation of nominations by the first February meeting: approved, vote 5-0.

What board members said - County Counsel Christopher Beck described the value of Anne Friebolth—s knowledge of county operations and asked the board to formalize her role; several supervisors said they favored continuing recruitment for a local, in-office attorney. The board asked staff to return with a cost comparison of contracting versus hiring.

Next steps and context - The County Counsel item will return for reconsideration after staff provide the requested cost comparison and recruitment update. The Clerk-Recorder—s office will accept nominations for the Assessment Appeals Board vacancy ahead of the first February meeting.

Sources: Meeting proceedings, Mono County Board of Supervisors, Jan. 21, 2025 (Mammoth Lakes).