Board asks staff to return with hybrid CEO/CAO reporting proposal after HR study

The board reviewed a human-resources study on the county's appointed department-head reporting structure and directed staff to prepare more detailed alternatives, including a hybrid CEO/CAO model. HR staff said Humboldt is one of the few Northern California counties in which appointed department heads report collectively to the full board rather than through a single county administrative or executive officer.

HR analyst Beth Rogers presented the findings, which relied on interviews with board members, a partial department-head survey and a regional comparison of 15 counties. Rogers told supervisors that participation in the survey was incomplete (11 of 20 department heads responded) and that the county's outlier status suggested the board should evaluate options carefully. CAO Alicia Hayes said the change would be significant and recommended a phased approach if the board wished to proceed.

Board members voiced differing views: some said direct board access to department heads is valuable for constituent services; others said a CEO or hybrid model could improve coordination, especially for budgeting and personnel issues. Supervisor Bone said he was reluctant to shift authority while a current CAO remains in place; Supervisor Wilson argued the choice should be about structure, not individuals.

The board voted unanimously to direct staff to return within three months with proposed alternatives and recommended language for codifying a hybrid model (including examples from other counties), and to prioritize departments for a potential transition if the board chooses to pilot a new reporting arrangement.

Staff said proposed next steps could include additional analysis, an outside review, model ordinances from peer counties and a menu of pilot options for departments.