The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to form an ad hoc committee to examine the structure of the county's Public Works department and its relationship to the Public Services department.

Supervisor Asmussen introduced the proposal, saying he brought it forward "to discuss the possibility of having an ad hoc committee to look at the Public Works department," and noting the county is operating with an interim director. The board motion, read by staff, called for membership consisting of Chair Crandall, interim Public Works Director Lars Ewing, CAO Susan Parker (or her designee) and Vice Chair Rasmussen.

The committee is intended to explore options including maintaining the current structure or combining Public Works with related services, following examples from other counties. Lloyd, a county staff member, told the board that "under section 6, the committee's policy, under the county's policies and procedures, [a committee] should be made by a subset of the board of supervisors no more than 2," and that staff and other county offices may be included in the committee's makeup.

During discussion, Supervisor Allen urged keeping the current interim arrangement in place, saying, "I think it's working really well ... I think that they're doing an amazing job." Supervisor Sabati said the board needs "some permanency" and asked that the motion explicitly reference the Public Services department so the public understands the committee's scope.

Board members and staff confirmed that the county chief administrative officer's office and the county information technology office would be included in the conversation. The motion to form the committee as described passed on a voice vote with a recorded tally of 4 yes, 0 no.

The board did not specify a deadline or reporting date for the committee's findings during the recorded discussion. The chair indicated the item would be brought back to the board after the committee meets and develops recommendations.