The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on Oct. 21 voted to send final recommendations to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors asking the board to adopt a clear, public communications plan and to incorporate community stakeholders in whatever process — appointment or special election — the board chooses to fill the county sheriff vacancy.

The commission emphasized that the board must act within 30 days to either call a special election or appoint a new sheriff, and the commission recommended that county officials publish timelines, eligibility rules, interim leadership plans and public engagement steps so residents know how the replacement process will proceed.

The recommendation, presented to the commission during a short-notice update, asked staff to expand slides to include a plain‑language explanation of the duties of the person now discharging the sheriff’s responsibilities, proposed timelines for both appointment and election options, and a central online hub with information and multilingual outreach. The commission approved the presentation and authorized the chair to make modifications consistent with the meeting discussion.

Public commenters at the meeting urged a prompt appointment rather than a special election. Bill Newell, a member of Coalition for Safer San Mateo, told the commission that a special election would give an advantage to well‑funded or well‑known candidates and argued appointment would allow the board to consider a wider pool of candidates. "A short runway to an election will give an unfair advantage to people who are connected or have access to money," Newell said.

Speakers representing Fix in San Mateo County also urged prompt action and supported adding a permanent inspector general. Nancy Goodband, speaking for Fix in San Mateo County, said an inspector general should be a neutral, nonpunitive reviewer of policies, incidents and complaints and "cannot set policy or impose discipline. That authority is held by the sheriff alone." She said a permanent inspector general could implement an independent complaint process that the public currently lacks.

Several other residents and community members repeated those themes. Deacon Lauren Patton McCombs, who identified herself as a member of Peninsula Solidarity Cohort and Fix in San Mateo, said the board of supervisors should appoint an interim sheriff "as soon as possible rather than waiting for a special election," adding that appointment could be completed in roughly three weeks if the board acts promptly.

During the discussion the commission sought legal clarification about succession and interim authority. A county attorney staff member told the commission that the California Government Code does not use the word "interim sheriff" but provides that the person who acts during a vacancy is the undersheriff and, if that post is vacant, the next most senior person. The attorney said the undersheriff "is discharging the duties of the sheriff," quoting the code language used in the meeting.

Commissioners and public speakers raised practical questions the presentation sought to address: who is eligible to serve if the board appoints or if candidates run in an election; how long an elected replacement would serve; whether the county should produce a factual mailer to alert voters; and how to include front-line staff, unions and other stakeholders in any selection process.

Public comment also included a request that the commission recommend to supervisors that the county institute a permanent, independent inspector general. Bill Newell said San Mateo County has been paying for oversight in an "expensive, least efficient" way by hiring ad hoc investigators after incidents and cited more than "$13,400,000" in payouts tied to sheriff's office misconduct in the last three years (as stated by the speaker during public comment).

After discussion, a motion to approve the recommendation and the presentation passed by voice vote. The commission also asked staff to add more detail on transition steps, estimated costs and the duties of the person currently carrying out the sheriff's responsibilities. The commission will forward the revised materials and its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors ahead of the board's action window.

The county now faces a near‑term choice: the Board of Supervisors must either order a special election or make an appointment within the statutory 30‑day window or follow applicable timelines tied to Measure A and county procedures. The commission's recommendation focuses on ensuring that whichever path the board selects, the public will have clear information, multilingual outreach and concrete opportunities to weigh in.