Lake County registrar asks supervisors to approve staff reclassification, hire and RFP for signature system

Maria Valadez, Lake County registrar of voters, told the Lake County Board of Supervisors she needs additional permanent staff, short‑term extra‑help workers and an authorization to begin an RFP for a signature‑verification system to handle peak election workloads.

Valadez told the board she is asking for approval to reclassify one election assistant senior to a staff services analyst, to add one part‑time permanent position and to add three extra‑help positions during election cycles. She said the reclassification would raise annual pay by "a little under $3,000" initially and that extra‑help positions are difficult to fill because applicants prefer permanent work. "I am asking the Board for approval of the staff reclassification, adding the one part‑time permanent staff and the three additional, extra help positions," Valadez said.

The request is being carried into the county budget process rather than decided immediately. Steven Carter, assistant county administrative…