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Tehama County hires public works director at $232,601 amid public concern over pay and budget
Summary
After a yearlong recruitment, the Tehama County Board approved an employment agreement for Dan Newton as public works director with an initial annual salary of $232,601 and license‑based incentives; public commenters questioned the cost and sustainability while staff said the position is needed to retain funding and capacity.
The Tehama County Board of Supervisors on April 28 approved an employment agreement with Dan Newton to serve as the county’s director of public works, setting an annual salary of $232,601 for fiscal year 2026–27 and contract terms through June 2030.
A staff presenter summarized recruitment efforts and the proposed agreement, which includes a $1,000 per month road‑commissioner stipend (for holding a valid professional engineering license), incentives tied to obtaining a professional land surveyor license (a 5% increase if obtained within the first year and an additional 5% after one year possessing the license, with a total cap of 10%), a $60 monthly cell phone allowance and front‑loaded personal time off provisions.
Interim Public Works Director Tom Provine and staff argued the county had run multiple recruitments over more than a year, faced competition from neighboring jurisdictions and risked losing departmental funding or project oversight if a qualified director was not installed. "We're in a competitive market," Provine said, and the board had considered bifurcating duties or hiring consultants, which appeared to be costlier than securing an experienced department head.
Several public commenters and phone callers questioned the timing and cost. One extended commenter said the county faces a budget deficit and criticized a $100,000 pay increase over the prior incumbent’s package and added incentives, calling for fiscal restraint. Another caller asked what happens to the surveyor incentive if Newton does not obtain the license; staff confirmed the 5% increase is contingent on obtaining the license and is not automatic.
Board members who supported the hire said public‑works funding (a separate road fund) would cover the position and that replacing the interim arrangement was necessary to secure grant funding and oversee bridges, roads and infrastructure. "We had to make a quality decision — this individual was the qualified candidate we found," a supervisor said during the discussion.
The motion to approve the employment agreement passed unanimously. Staff said the contract will be executed and human resources will complete onboarding; they also noted the position does not start until the next fiscal year and will be funded from dedicated road funds, not general fund.
Next steps: sign the agreement, begin onboarding, and monitor recruitment outcomes and infrastructure project oversight under the new director.
