Title
Human Resources Department recommending the Board:
1) Assign Susan Hennike into Acting status for Chief Administrative Officer at Step 1 of the salary range ($122.67/hour), effective August 16, 2025, and waive the fifteen (15) working day service period under Section 1209 of the Salary and Benefits Resolution for Unrepresented Employees; and
2) Appoint Susan Hennike as Interim Chief Administrative Officer at Step 1 of the salary range ($122.67/hour), effective September 14, 2025.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
A vacancy in the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will occur effective September 14, 2025. Pursuant to Personnel Rule 1106, in order to provide for a transition period between the outgoing CAO and the Interim CAO, a new employee or a promoted employee may be appointed to a position not more than thirty (30) working days prior to the last day worked by the outgoing employee. To support continued operational oversight during this leadership transition, the Human Resources Department is recommending the Board assign Assistant CAO, Susan Hennike into Acting status effective August 16, 2025. This allows for an overlap and transition period, consistent with Personnel Rule 1106, which permits appointments up to thirty (30) working days prior to the outgoing employee's last day.
Ms. Hennike is also recommended for appointment as Interim CAO effective September 14, 2025, the date the vacancy formally occurs. Pursuant to Section 1209 of the Salary and Benefits Resolution for Unrepresented Employees, employees assigned to an acting role are typically required to serve fifteen (15) working days in the higher classification before receiving the associated pay, which is then applied retroactively. However, given the duration and planned transition to interim status, it is recommended that the fifteen (15) day service period be waived to facilitate consistent pay from the beginning of the assignment and streamline administrative processing.
By way of background, an “acting” appointment under the Salary and Benefits Resolution for Unrepresented Employees may occur into a position where the incumbent is on an extended leave, while an “interim” appointment may only occur once the position has been permanently vacated by the incumbent. This distinction is the reason for the separate “acting” and “interim” appointments.
Both appointments are recommended at Step 1 of the salary range for the classification, which is $122.67 per hour. Ms. Hennike meets the minimum qualifications for the CAO classification and is willing to serve in both acting and interim capacities.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to make an acting or interim appointment or consider a different employee for the temporary assignments.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
07/22/2025 Legistar file 25-1311 - Closed Session - Acting/Interim Chief Administrative Officer
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The approximate cost for the Acting status is $4,500. While Ms. Hennike is in Interim status, the approximate savings to the County is $16,500 annually.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Joseph Carruesco, Director of Human Resources