To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: County Counsel and Supervisor Haschak
Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Haschak |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion And Possible Action Including Adoption of Resolution Certifying and Adopting Finding of Critical Need Pursuant to Government Code Section 7522.56, in Order to Appoint Katharine L. Elliott as Interim County Counsel, Effective January 12, 2026; Approval of Agreement With Katharine L. Elliott in the Amount of $190,000 to Provide Interim County Counsel Services, Effective January 12, 2026, through June 30, 2026; Waiver of Residency Requirement Pursuant to Government Code Section 27641.1; Appointment of Katharine L. Elliott as Interim County Counsel in Accordance with the Terms of the Agreement
(Sponsors: County Counsel and Supervisor Haschak)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution certifying and adopting finding of critical need pursuant to Government Code section 7522.56, in order to appoint Katharine L. Elliott as Interim County Counsel, effective January 12, 2026; approve Agreement with Katharine L. Elliott in the amount of $190,000 to provide Interim County Counsel Services, effective January 12, 2026, through June 30, 2026; Waive residency requirement pursuant to Government Code section 27641.1; appoint Katharine L. Elliott as Interim County Counsel in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
Due to the recent vacancy in the office of County Counsel, the Chair of the Board of Supervisors requests approval of the proposed Agreement with Katharine L. Elliott to provide Interim County Counsel services for Mendocino County, effective January 12, 2026, with accompanying resolution and waiver of residency requirement.
The office of County Counsel is critical to the effective functioning of the County Mendocino as an organization, and it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors timely fill this department head level position with an experienced County Counsel in an interim role for a limited duration, while the County considers the recruitment of a successor County Counsel.
Katharine Elliott served as County Counsel for Mendocino County from 2015 until 2019 and served as County Counsel for Nevada County from 2019 until her anticipated retirement concurrently from Mendocino, Nevada, and Tulare counties effective December 20, 2025. Ms. Elliott’s appointment necessarily follows shortly after her retirement and before the one-hundred eighty (180) day separation period established in Government Code section 7522.56(f). Therefore, it is requested that the Board of Supervisors find and certify that the nature of Ms. Elliott’s employment and appointment is necessary to fill this critically needed position of Interim County Counsel prior to the 180-day separation period, while the County considers the recruitment of a successor County Counsel. Additionally, waiver of the residency requirements are requested as authorized pursuant to Government Code section 27641.1.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve, provide alternative direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: CO 1210 |
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current f/y cost: $190,000 |
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budget clarification: This contract will be partially funded through salary savings. |
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annual recurring cost: TBD |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Darcie Antle, CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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