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 officer, said the items have been submitted with Valadez’s budget but are not on the board’s June budget presentation and must be raised during her budget presentation to be added. Several supervisors said they want to review the budget details before taking further action. Vice Chair and another supervisor said they expect the registrar to include the staffing requests in her scheduled budget presentation.

Valadez also discussed infrastructure and logistics. She said a signature‑verification machine would require roughly 200 square feet of space and that the county has about "a little under 2,000 square feet" for the elections office now, creating a space squeeze during peak periods. The registrar told the board she has about $131,000 in funds available for the purchase, that the money is a three‑to‑one match and that the funds expire on Aug. 31 of next year. She said the signature system procurement would require an RFP and that she would need board direction to begin that process.

On temporary facilities, Valadez reported that leasing a modular unit and placing it on the parking lot next to the office would be expensive for a one‑to‑eight month need and would require permitting and utilities. She said the Silvera Community Center is currently unavailable because it is under remodel and is also used for storage. Valadez recommended against temporary relocation at this time and said she had submitted the department’s needs to the county Space Committee for review.

On transportation, Valadez said Central Garage can provide a vehicle for county use for about $261 per month that covers up to 900 miles. She said Central Garage currently has an SUV — not a cargo van — and that trucks would not work well for moving election materials in inclement weather. Valadez said she has budgeted about $4,000 in the upcoming fiscal budget to cover the rental.

Supervisors raised operational questions. Supervisor Spati said she was "perfectly fine with reviewing the reclassification" and recommended evaluating whether a part‑time permanent hire would be more effective than additional extra‑help positions. A different supervisor suggested the Lower Lake town hall as an alternate venue if additional space is needed. Several supervisors said they preferred to resolve staffing and procurement decisions in the budget process and to await the Space Committee’s recommendations before proceeding with a signature‑verification RFP.

No formal vote or ordinance was taken during this discussion. The board directed that the staffing and budget items be addressed during Valadez’s upcoming budget presentation and referred the office‑space needs to the Space Committee for follow‑up. Valadez said she will work with administration on any procurement steps if the board directs her to begin an RFP.

The discussion included public‑meeting exchanges and supervisor comments but no formal board action to authorize purchase or hire at the time of the meeting.