The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday withdrew the appointment of Brence Culp as acting chief executive officer and appointed Executive Officer Sachi Hamai in Culp’s place, as part of a proposed policy change designed to level the playing field for candidates seeking high-level county jobs.
The decision was made in closed session and announced publicly immediately afterward.
Culp, appointed to the interim CEO job on Nov. 18, has expressed interest in permanently replacing retired CEO William Fujioka.
Some felt that functioning in the interim role would give Culp an unfair advantage relative to other candidates, according to county PIO David Sommers.
The board directed its attorneys to evaluate a change in policy that would prohibit any would-be department heads from taking on those roles temporarily while other candidates are under consideration.
A report is expected back in 30 days.
In the meantime, Hamai, who runs the board’s executive office, will step up.
The change in personnel is playing out as two of the five supervisors have pushed for the CEO position to revert back to a role as chief administrative officer. Under the earlier governance structure, in place before Fujioka was hired in 2007, department heads reported directly to the board rather than the CEO.
Supervisors Michael Antonovich has said he believes the CAO structure allows for more coordination between departments. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas also supports the change, but the two have been unable to garner a third vote of support.
Now that Supervisors Hilda Solis and Sheila Kuehl have joined the board, the issue may have new life.
— City News Service