Fox Canyon GMA authorizes $30,000 contract modification for executive recruitment

The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board authorized a contract modification on March 26 to increase the executive‑recruiting contract with Peckham and McKinney to a not‑to‑exceed $30,000 to support recruitment for the agency’s new executive officer position.

Interim Executive Officer Arnie Ansom told the board he is retiring next month and staff and the executive committee recommended hiring a professional recruitment firm. The county approved a dedicated position that will become effective in early April; the recruiter has the recruitment on the street and the filing deadline is April 14, Ansom said.

Ansom said the initial contract authority allowed signing up to $25,000 under his authority; the recruiter's proposal was $30,000 and the modification brings the contract to that level. He described a multi‑step timeline: preliminary screening in April, a closed‑session candidate presentation to the board at a special meeting on May 9, stakeholder‑panel interviews on May 22, followed by board interviews and selection in closed session. The recruiter will provide background checks and negotiation support after selection.

Board members discussed the fee range for executive search firms and the need to preserve flexibility if the recruitment needs to be re‑opened or adjusted. A member of the public urged the board to allow interviewers to ask spontaneous, potentially revealing questions while staff and counsel confirmed guardrails are needed to avoid legally protected topics.

The motion to authorize the interim executive officer to execute the contract modification to a new not‑to‑exceed $30,000 passed by voice vote; the transcript records an aye voice vote and no vocal opposition.