New county administrator begins duties
Plumas County’s new administrator began his official duties Monday, Feb. 4, and attended his first Plumas County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Gabriel Hydrick was welcomed in his capacity as county administrator.
Plumas County Counsel Craig Settlemire then took the opportunity to request supervisors to begin the process of changing Hydrick’s title. In the process of deciding to hire someone, supervisors changed the name from county administrative officer to county administrator.
Settlemire explained that all legal documents needed to reflect the change to avoid confusion.
In an ordinance, Settlemire spelled out the first of what will be many changes to come. According to Article 6 Sec. 2-4.601 “A county administrative office is hereby established in order to provide effective centralized administration for the government of Plumas County under the direction of a county administrator.”
The county administrator works under the direction of supervisors to direct and coordinate administrative activities for all county offices, departments and agencies. These include appointive and elective.
The county administrator’s duties are not to conflict with the state statutory duties of elected or appointed officials within the county, according to the ordinance. These individuals still have the right to consult with supervisors directly and can appeal decisions by the county administrator.
Under the following section within the ordinance, the county administrator is to carry out and enforce the policies of the supervisors.
“The county administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, and may be removed by majority vote at any regular meeting of four or more members of the board,” according to the ordinance.
During the meeting, Hydrick said that he was pleased to be the new county administrator. He said he was looking forward to that weekend’s upcoming snowstorms. Coming from Lincoln, he said he hadn’t had much opportunity to enjoy the snow. He is originally from South Lake Tahoe.
Supervisor Michael Sanchez said that he was encouraging Hydrick to get acquainted with department heads and other staff. He will also be taken around the county, as time allows, meeting other representatives and visiting other county facilities.
