Supervisors Delay Decision on CAO Selection for Week

Even though a majority of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors apparently supports Treasurer-Tax Collector Richard Dixon for the post of chief administrative officer, the supervisors agreed Tuesday to wait at least one more week to give others a chance to apply for the job.

After meeting in closed session, the board voted to allow all those interested in the position to submit an application with the county director of personnel no later than noon on Monday.

Supervisor Ed Edelman told reporters that he insisted on the delay to give as many people as possible a chance to be considered for the county’s top administrative post. The current chief administrative officer, James C. Hankla, disclosed two weeks ago that he will leave the job March 1 to become Long Beach’s city manager.

Dixon, who had been considered for the post in 1984 before the supervisors chose Hankla, was an early favorite to succeed him. He quickly gained the backing of Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Deane Dana and on Tuesday reportedly also received the backing of Supervisor Pete Schabarum.

Edelman acknowledged Dixon’s majority support and said he also believes that Dixon is well qualified for the job. However, he said there may be others equally qualified who have not yet come forward. He said he had no other candidate in mind.