Supervisors Extend Koester’s Contract

Without discussion, Ventura County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved extending Chief Administrative Officer Lin Koester’s contract through Dec. 31.

The 57-year-old administrator, whose current contract expires in July, will retire Jan. 1. The new agreement allows him to remain as a contract employee earning $94,080 for the last six months of the year.

Koester announced his retirement last week. After 30 years in government administration, it was the right time to step down, he said. He denied reports that infighting between supervisors and top county managers over a ill-fated merger of the mental health and social services departments last year affected his decision.

Koester had expressed interest in leaving in June, when the new budget would be in place. But after closed-door meetings, supervisors persuaded him to stay longer in order to smooth the transition when a new chief administrative officer is hired.

Koester served as Simi Valley’s city manager for 16 years before becoming county administrator four years ago.