Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Leadership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Otto Lee elected president of Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Arenas named vice president
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 14 to appoint Supervisor Otto Lee as board president and Supervisor Susan Ellenberg (Arenas?) as vice president for 2025 after public comment and a formal motion and second.
Otto Lee was elected president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Susan Arenas was named vice president in a unanimous vote Tuesday, Jan. 14. The board approved the motion to appoint Lee and Arenas following a public comment period that included praise for outgoing President Susan Ellenberg.
The appointments were made during the board's organizational business. Supervisor Ellenberg moved to nominate Vice President Lee and Supervisor Arenas to serve as president and vice president for the 2025 calendar year; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Abe Koga. After a short public comment period, the board voted unanimously in favor. The board chair read the roll call: Abe Koga, Young, Arenas, Vice President Lee and President Ellenberg all recorded support and the motion carried.
Nut graf: The vote formalizes leadership for the board’s 2025 calendar year. The change of officers is procedural but sets who will preside over meeting conduct and agenda priorities for the year. The new president briefly addressed the board and outlined priorities including operational efficiency, use of technology in county government and ensuring services for vulnerable populations.
In remarks after the vote, Lee described the president’s role as similar to a local mayor for both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county. He emphasized process improvements, follow-up, and collaboration across jurisdictions, and said the board will continue to focus on wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness, behavioral health, housing for veterans and upgrades to regional medical facilities. He announced a March 14 date for the annual state-of-the-county event.
The formal vote followed public comments thanking outgoing President Ellenberg for her service and offering support for the new leadership. Two public speakers expressly thanked Ellenberg and welcomed Lee’s leadership; others included community leaders and representatives of local organizations who offered brief remarks during public comment.
Ending: The leadership change is effective immediately; the board’s business continued with the remainder of the Jan. 14 meeting under the new presiding officer.
