Plumas County supervisors signal intent to appoint Undersheriff Chad Herman; vote to forgo interviews

The Plumas County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on July 1 to express the board’s intent to appoint Undersheriff Chad Herman as the next Plumas County sheriff and to decline a separate, public interview process. The board’s stated action will be made effective after Sheriff Todd Johns’ planned retirement date.

The board majority—Supervisors Engel, Hall and Goss—moved that the county not solicit or conduct public interviews and that the board appoint Herman effective upon Johns’ retirement. Supervisor Perra Solon and Supervisor McGowan voted against the motion, citing a desire for a process that gives the public a chance to provide input and for the board to consider any other qualified applicants.

Why it matters: The sheriff is an elected office in California; the board’s ability to appoint is limited by statute and by timing. County counsel advised the board that an appointment does not become final until after the incumbent sheriff actually resigns. The board said it would carry the expressed intent forward to the first meeting after Johns’ retirement for a formal appointment.

Discussion: Speakers who urged the board to appoint Herman pointed to continuity and agency stability. In public comments and letters submitted for the record, local law-enforcement peers, the Plumas County Sheriff's Employees Association and several community members described Herman as experienced and prepared. Sheriff Todd Johns, who announced his retirement, told the board he regretted having to place the board in the position but that he believed Herman was “100% ready for the task.” Supporters noted Herman’s years of service and internal leadership amid ongoing projects such as radio and records upgrades and interagency coordination.

Those urging a wider process said an open interview would provide transparency and let other qualified candidates present themselves. Supervisor McGowan said he had received public requests for interviews and argued that a public interview would allow broader citizen input. County counsel clarified that while the board can express intent now, any formal appointment cannot legally take effect until after the sheriff’s resignation is filed.

What the board decided: By majority vote the board recorded its intent to appoint Undersheriff Chad Herman and directed that no open interview process or further solicitation of applicants be conducted. Counsel advised the board to consider the legal timing for formal action; the board plans to finalize the appointment at the first meeting occurring after Sheriff Johns’ retirement date.

Next steps and timeline: Sheriff Johns’ retirement date was stated on the record as July 28, 2025. The board said it will place the formal appointment on its next publicly noticed meeting agenda after that date so the appointment can take legal effect.

Votes and procedural note: The motion on July 1 to express intent and to forego interviews passed on a 3–2 vote (Engel, Hall, Goss — yes; Perra Solon, McGowan — no). County counsel reiterated that the board does not have authority to make an effective appointment until the incumbent sheriff’s resignation is final; the board’s action is an expression of intent and will be acted on again after the resignation.