Board OKs expanding chief administrator role

The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday tentatively approved a proposed ordinance to expand the authority of the county’s chief administrator after amending it somewhat.

Under the proposed ordinance, the chief administrator would have hiring and firing power over most appointed county department heads. A few such department heads, including county counsel, auditor-controller and the board’s executive officer, would continue to report directly to the board, however.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich narrowly won approval for an amendment adding the county fire chief to the list of department heads under the board’s direct control.

The revised ordinance was approved 4 to 1, with Antonovich, who is opposed to shifting authority from elected officials to an appointed administrator, casting the “no” vote.

The proposal will come back to the board for final approval next week.