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Board reappoints Dr. Renee Ramirez as county health officer after discussion of competitive search
Summary
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors voted to reappoint Renee Ramirez, M.D., as county health officer for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 under a contract not to exceed $166,400, amid public comment and board discussion about opening a competitive recruitment process for future appointments.
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on March 25 voted to reappoint Renee Ramirez, M.D., as the county health officer and authorized the board chair to sign a contract for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with a not-to-exceed amount of $166,400.
The vote followed a lengthy discussion in which some supervisors and members of the public urged the board to issue a competitive recruitment or request-for-proposals (RFP) for the health officer position. Colleen Rodriguez, deputy director of public health, outlined why the administration brought the contract forward before the fiscal year start: the county is required to have a designated health officer and the timing allowed the appointment to take effect on July 1.
Supporters and critics spoke during the public-comment period attached to the item. Several public speakers asked the board to pursue a competitive procurement process; county officials said they would consider a future procurement if the board directed it. Ramirez spoke directly to the board and to the public, describing her daily availability and her work in emergency and public-health matters. Ramirez also read a short letter from her son and apologized if any prior remarks had been perceived as condescending by any supervisor.
Board members said they wanted to explore broader recruitment options but expressed concern about whether a competitive process could be completed in time to ensure the county had a health officer in place on July 1. A majority of supervisors voted to approve the contract and resolution reappointing Ramirez; supervisors asked staff to keep the door open for a competitive process later in the year.
The contract and reappointment resolution are administrative steps to ensure continuity of the county’s public-health leadership. No further personnel actions were taken at the meeting.
Notes: The board’s discussion included requests that staff consider a competitive procurement or request-for-applications in the future; no formal motion to initiate an RFP was made or approved at this meeting.
