To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Resources Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: Janell Crane, 707-565-2331
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Extension of the County Executive Personal Services Agreement
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute an extension of Maria Christina Rivera’s Personal Services Agreement as the County Executive from February 1, 2026, to May 1, 2026.
end
Executive Summary:
In August 2025, County Executive Maria Christina Rivera announced her plan to retire in early 2026. Her current Personal Services Agreement is set to expire on February 1, 2026. Extending her Agreement by three months will allow Human Resources sufficient time to complete a nationwide recruitment for Ms. Rivera’s successor.
Discussion:
The County Executive is the principal administrative official of the County and carries out the policy direction of the Board of Supervisors. The position acts as an agent for the Board with responsibility for the prompt and efficient delivery of county services, as well as being responsible for the administration and execution of all aspects of County government within the Board of Supervisors’ mission and legislative scope.
Primary duties of the position include, but are not limited to: directing and coordinating the administration of all County functions and activities; advising the Board of Supervisors on significant policy issues including the County’s Strategic Plan; community outreach and communication strategies; conducting administrative studies of County operations, procedures, and department budget requests; preparing and making recommendations to the Board for decision; developing collaborative working relationships with the State, local government entities, and tribes; and preparing the County budget. The County Executive oversees the County’s Emergency Operations during disasters and emergencies and serves as the Clerk of the Board.
The position is the appointing authority for the heads of the Community Development Commission, Economic Development Collaborative, Emergency Management, Health Services, Human Resources, Human Services, Information Systems, Office of Equity, Permit Sonoma, Public Infrastructure, and Regional Perks departments. The County Executive’s Office has an operating budget of $21 million for the current fiscal year and a staff component of 72 full-time equivalent (FTE), which includes the five Sonoma County Supervisors and their District staff.
In August 2025, County Executive Maria Christina Rivera announced her plan to retire in early 2026. Her current Personal Services Agreement is set to expire on February 1, 2026. In order to identify the next County Executive, the County has engaged an executive search firm. The recruitment launched in October following the completion of a stakeholder survey and a number of informational discussions used to identify the desired competencies of the next County Executive. The final filing deadline for applications was mid-November. A multi-stage interview process is scheduled to occur in January 2026. It is expected the next County Executive will be appointed in March 2026, and their start date will coincide with the approval of their employment contract or shortly thereafter.
The recommended action will allow the extension of the Maria Christina Rivera’s current Personal Services Agreement for up to three months, to end on May 1, 2026. Additionally, the Amendment will replace the 60-day notice of resignation requirement with a 14-calendar day notice of resignation requirement.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
January 10, 2023 (item 37; File Number 2022-1458) Approved an execution of the Personal Services Agreement with Maria Christina Rivera as the County Administrator from February 1, 2023 to February 1, 2026.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$129,476 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$129,476 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
$129,476 |
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$129,476 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no anticipated additional fiscal impact to the County Executive’s Office’s budget for approving the recommended action. The salary and benefit costs of the County Executive are already included in the adopted departmental budget.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Extension of Personal Services Agreement for County Executive Maria Christina Rivera
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None