Board delays selection of 2025 chair; votes to revisit officer choice April 22

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 took up selection of its 2025 chair and other officers but decided to delay the choice and set a date certain for revisiting the matter.

Clerk Andrew Potter reviewed the charter and the board’s rules, telling the board that because a vacancy occurred Jan. 6 the group had until Feb. 5 to select officers but that the board rules allowed a date certain to be set if the body preferred more time. “The charter and the board's rules of procedure require that the board select a chair, vice chair, and chair pro tem at their first meeting in January or within 30 days thereafter,” Potter said. County counsel advised that a date certain could be chosen while noting the charter preference for an early selection.

Supervisor Jim Desmond nominated himself for chair and nominated Supervisor Montgomery Stepp for vice chair. After discussion about whether to delay to allow information from an upcoming primary election, Desmond offered a substitute motion to continue the selection for 90 days to April 22, 2025. The motion was seconded and then adopted unanimously: “That motion passes unanimously, with all supervisors being present and voting aye,” the clerk recorded.

Why it matters: The chair and vice chair preside over meetings and have procedural and representational duties. The clerk had noted the board could operate with current interim officers until a successor was selected; the delay gives the supervisors more time before formally changing leadership.

Public comment during the item included both support and opposition for particular prospective chairs and general remarks about representation and transparency. Several callers urged deferring the vote so more constituents could be heard.

Ending: The board will revisit officer selection on April 22, 2025 unless circumstances change and a different date is set by the board.