Board designates assistant auditor‑controller as temporary lead, directs wider recruitment for permanent auditor‑controller

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on April 15 named Assistant Auditor‑Controller Harjit “Hajj” Nahal to temporarily discharge the duties of the elected Auditor‑Controller while the county pursues an expanded recruitment for a permanent replacement. The board unanimously approved the designation.

The item followed a public discussion of six structural options for county finance offices presented by county counsel and HR staff: (1) keep the status quo (two elected offices: Auditor‑Controller and Treasurer/Tax Collector), (2) consolidate the offices into one elected office, (3) convert the Auditor‑Controller to an appointive office, (4) convert the Treasurer‑Tax Collector to an appointive office, (5) replace the Auditor‑Controller with an appointed Director of Finance, or (6) create a Director of Finance and consolidate both offices (which would require voter approval).

Supervisors heard from county counsel and HR about legal and practical considerations and from multiple public commenters, including Dan (Treasurer/Tax Collector office representative), Jim of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, retired Auditor‑Controller Bob Campbell and other community stakeholders. Public testimonies emphasized maintaining checks and balances, transparency, and that consolidation has produced problems in some other counties.

Chair Candace Anderson and other supervisors said they preferred to try an additional, more robust recruitment — using a professional recruitment firm — before changing the statutory structure of the offices. Several board members said they were open to exploring consolidation later, but not without a careful plan and additional resources to maintain separation of functions and ensure controls.

Facing the immediate vacancy, the board voted to designate Harjit Nahal to temporarily discharge the duties of the Auditor‑Controller while the county performs a broader recruitment and decides whether to pursue any structural changes. Nahal told the board he would continue running the office during the interim and that he is willing to assume the duties on a temporary basis and, if the board desired, to accept appointment and move into the county residence requirements later.

County HR will proceed with an expanded recruitment process, including consideration of using an external recruiter to identify additional qualified candidates for the permanent position. The board asked staff to return with recruitment materials and a plan for the next meeting; members also requested that the recruitment process be widely publicized.

The board took no action at the meeting to make the Auditor‑Controller an appointed position or to consolidate offices; any such change would require a voter ballot measure.

The temporary designation takes effect immediately; HR will administer the recruitment and report back to the board.