The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve revisions to the county internship program, adding a preference for local residents and enabling departments to open recruitments for summer internships if budgets allow.

Human resources analyst Erondi Campbell told the board the updated program is intended to provide “meaningful hands on experience for students,” build awareness of county operations and create pathways to potential future county employment. Pam Samek, Lake County human resources director, said staff can draft an addendum later to expand academic partnerships with community colleges.

The nut of the revision is to modernize a previously outdated program so departments can recruit interns who may not yet meet the minimum qualifications for regular roles. Campbell said the goal is to “help students develop skills that will prepare them for future employment in public administration, policy or related fields” and to give departments a formal process to request interns.

Supervisors discussed whether the program should require interns to live in Lake County. Supervisor Sabatier and others expressed a desire to prioritize local youth but raised drafting concerns about strict residency language for students whose legal addresses may be their out-of-county college housing. Lake County Public Services Director Lars Ewing, speaking from the public, said the program will formalize practices that departments already use informally and urged inclusion of trade-focused placements, noting local recruits often remain with the county longer.

After discussion the board agreed to add a local-preference sentence rather than a strict residency requirement. Supervisor Rasmussen moved to approve the revised internship program as amended to include a preference for local residents; a second was recorded. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote.

Board members and staff said next steps include allowing departments to request recruitments now that the policy is approved, drafting an addendum to define a special academic internship program for community colleges and returning to the board with more specific cost and program details. Paid internships will depend on department budgets and availability of funds.