Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board to interview four finalists for auditor‑controller, schedules interviews and explores interim options
Summary
With Robert Campbell retiring March 30, the board reviewed applicants and directed staff to bring four qualified candidates back for interviews (one by Zoom) on April 1; members also asked staff to explore interim appointment options and scheduled policy discussion on elected vs. appointed office for April 15.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors reviewed applications to fill the auditor‑controller vacancy created by Robert Campbell’s retirement and directed staff to bring four qualified finalists forward for interviews at the April 1 meeting.
HR manager Nicole Bilich summarized the recruitment: applications were accepted Jan. 17–Feb. (deadline in February), eight total applications were received, and four candidates met minimum qualifications. Two candidates qualified via active CPA licensure; two qualified based on the combination of education and senior fiscal management experience. The finalists are Peter Crummey (Brentwood, CPA), Nikki Sow (out‑of‑county; qualified by experience), Donna Schmidt (San Francisco; CPA pending), and Yang Hung (Jade Byon, Orinda; CPA). One candidate withdrew prior to review.
Supervisors asked staff to pursue two parallel tracks: (1) proceed with the public interview process on April 1 so the board can evaluate candidates without committing to an immediate selection, and (2) explore interim coverage options so the Auditor‑Controller’s office has a single point of leadership when Campbell leaves. County staff indicated the department could operate for a short interval under assistant auditor‑controllers but recommended appointing a formal interim if coverage extends for months.
Public commenters and retiring Auditor‑Controller Bob Campbell urged consideration of the internal candidate Peter Crummey as a strong internal option; the board voted 4–0 to interview all four finalists and to have staff consult about an interim appointment as needed.
What’s next: Interviews of all four candidates on April 1 (one via Zoom at the applicant’s request); possible interim appointment discussion and a broader April 15 agenda item on whether to convert the office from elected to appointed.
