To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Executive’s Office; Human Resources Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin, 707-565-2431; Janell Crane, 707-565-2885
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Department Head Personal Services Agreement First Amendment - Executive Director, Economic Development Collaborative
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the County Executive to execute the First Amendment to the Personal Services Agreement with Ethan Brown, Executive Director of Economic Development Collaborative, extending the term of the agreement from June 13, 2026, to June 13, 2029, continuing at the “I” step in the position’s salary range, and maintaining eligibility for other County benefits in accordance with Salary Resolution 95-0926.
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Executive Summary:
The salary and fringe benefits provided to County department and agency heads must be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, and an oral summary of the recommended action to be taken on the salary and benefits must be presented at the meeting where the final Board action is taken. (California Government Code sections 54953, 54956).
Ethan Brown was appointed as the Executive Director of Economic Development Collaborative (formerly Economic Development Board) for a three-year term from June 13, 2023, to June 13, 2026. The recommended action amends the employment agreement, extending the term for three additional years, through June 13, 2029.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board changed its name to the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) with the Board’s approval on August 13, 2024. The EDC Executive Director reports to the County Executive and is responsible for services to encourage the startup, retention, and expansion of Sonoma County businesses and jobs by promoting Sonoma County as an attractive place to do business. The EDC fosters job growth by providing local businesses, including those in minority and underserved communities, with tools to help them prosper while developing a workforce strategy driven by local employer needs. The department further maintains a sound economy by encouraging tourism through funding agreements with Sonoma County Tourism and visitor centers.
The department provides services in the areas of Business Retention and Expansion, Entrepreneurship and Startup, Business Market Intelligence, Business Diversity, Financing and Access to Capital, Workforce Development, Research Reports, Workshops, Tourism, Expanding Communications Infrastructure, and Providing Resources to the Creative Arts Community of Sonoma County.
The EDC has a fiscal year 2026-2027 budget of appropriately $9.67 million and 15 full-time equivalent employees.
This First Amendment to the Personal Services Agreement continues Mr. Brown’s current salary at the “I” step of the salary range, which is $227,788.28 annually, with a term of June 13, 2026, to June 13, 2029, and includes all other benefits and compensation as prescribed in the County’s Salary Resolution 95-0296.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
June 6, 2023 (Item 51; File Number 2023-0678 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6231266&GUID=C13E69B5-338D-49F2-B22F-6DEC615F2EB8&Options=&Search=>) - Initial Personal Services Agreement, effective June 13, 2023, through June 13, 2026.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the Economic Development Collaborative Department’s budget for approving the recommended action. The salary and benefit costs of the Director are already programmed within the FY 2026-27 countywide budget.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
First Amended and Reinstated Personal Services Agreement - Executive Director, Economic Development Collaborative
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.