To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: M. Christina Rivera 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Appointment of Steve Worrell to the Sonoma Resource Conservation District to fill the remainder of an unscheduled vacancy from March 26th, 2024, through December 3rd, 2024. (Countywide)
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Executive Summary:
Rule 50 of the Board Rules of Procedures states that the Clerk of the Board shall put forward appointment recommendations to the Board for countywide positions. The Sonoma Resource Conservation District Board of Directors approved and put forward the current recommendation. The current item recommends appointment of Steve Worrell to the Sonoma Resource Conversation District (SRCD).
Discussion:
Resource Conversation Districts (RCD’s) are established under California Public Resource Code Division 9. Resource conservation Districts are locally governed with independent boards of directors. The SRCD is steward of public and private funds, and is subject to transparency and accountability laws that require public meetings, open records, annual audits, and financial reporting. The SRCD was formed established in 1946 by local agriculturalists to address critical natural resource concerns in Sonoma County. The SRCD’s 15 District Directors serve approximately 85% of Sonoma County working toward improving the control of runoff, the preservation or control of soil erosion, the development and distribution of water, and the improvement of land capabilities.
Per Article 7. District Directors, section 9314 (b) (1) of the California Public Resource Code Division 9 “As an alternative to the election of directors, the board of directors may, by a resolution presented to the board of supervisors of the principal county, request the board of supervisors to appoint directors, except those first elected. Additionally, per Article 7 District Directors, of the California Public Resource Code Division 9, the Board of Supervisors shall fill a vacancy through an unexpired term.
February 22, 2024, The SRCD Board of Directors approved the recommended appointment of Steve Worrell to fill the remainder of the current vacancy through December 3, 2024. The incumbent, Vickie Mulas, resigned December 3, 2023. The SRCD publicly noticed the unscheduled vacancy in Press Democrat. No additional applications or interest in the vacant position were received.
Steve Worrell is a registered civil engineer with experience designing winery, agricultural and food process wastewater treatment systems. He has worked on many aspects of the land-water nexus including evaluating water demand, water availability, quality and treatment. His current work includes leading the engineering division of a wastewater technology company. Steve is a graduate of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and has lived in Santa Rosa for the last six years. Steve currently serves the SRCD as an associate Director.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
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Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
California Public Resource Code Division 9
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: N/A