San Bernardino County Supervisor Named Head of State’s Consumer Services Agency
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday appointed San Bernardino County Supervisor Fred Aguiar to head the state agency that oversees tax collection, civil rights enforcement and consumer protection.
Aguiar, who chairs the county’s Republican Party central committee, said he sought the position of secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency because he believes his 25 years of experience in local and state government can help reform state government.
The secretary of the State and Consumer Services oversees 12 departments and 15,000 employees, with an annual operating budget of $1.3 billion. It is one of the most diversified agencies in state government. As secretary, Aguiar will oversee the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of General Services, the Franchise Tax Board and the State Building Standards Commission, among others.
Aguiar, a former assemblyman and Chino mayor, has been a member of the Board of Supervisors since 1998. Aguiar said he plans to resign his county post sometime before Jan. 1.
Under county rules, the board must appoint a caretaker until voters select a replacement in November.
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