Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board appoint Eric Palmberg as the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator effective upon vacation of the Office on December 26, 2026, or upon the earlier vacation of the Office, for the remainder of the current term of office, which ends on January 8, 2029, with a salary totaling $25,701.87 per month.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The position of Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator will become vacant on December 26, 2026, due to the retirement of Jeff Leikauf, Elected Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, with his last day in office being December 25, 2026. The County Charter, Section 406 - Vacancies, states "If a vacancy occurs in an elective office other than the Board of Supervisors, the Board shall fill it as provided by general law. The appointee shall hold office until the next general election."
Upon notification to the Board of his intention to retire, Sheriff Leikauf recommended the Board appoint Undersheriff Eric Palmberg to fulfill the remainder of the term, citing Mr. Palmberg’s 19 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience with the Sheriff’s Office and current position as Undersheriff. The Sheriff’s letter is included as Attachment A.
Government Code 25304 states: "The Board of Supervisors shall fill by appointment all vacancies that occur in any office filled by the appointment of the Board of supervisors and elective county officers, except judge of the superior court and supervisors. The appointee shall hold office for the unexpired term or until the first Monday after January 1st succeeding the next general election".
The next general election is in November 2028. This appointment would be for the unexpired term ending on January 8, 2029, when the next elected Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator would take office.
The qualifications for an elected Sheriff are set by Government Code (GC) Section 24004.3. An elected Sheriff is required to meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) An active or inactive advanced certificate issued by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
2) One year of full-time, salaried law enforcement experience within the provisions of Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code at least a portion of which shall have been accomplished within five years prior to the date of filing, and possesses a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
3) Two years of full-time, salaried law enforcement experience within the provisions of Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code at least a portion of which shall have been accomplished within five years prior to the date of filing, and possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
4) Three years of full-time, salaried law enforcement experience within the provisions of Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code at least a portion of which shall have been accomplished within five years prior to the date of filing, and possesses an associate in arts or associate in science degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited college.
5) Four years of full-time, salaried law enforcement experience within the provisions of Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code at least a portion of which shall have been accomplished within five years prior to the date of filing, and possesses a high school diploma or the equivalent.
The County Charter consolidates the offices of Sheriff, Coroner, and Public Administrator, so if appointed Mr. Palmberg would serve in all three capacities.
Mr. Palmberg has nearly 19 years of qualifying law enforcement experience and holds Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, and Management POST certificates, as well as a Bachelor’s degree. This education and experience fulfill criteria 1 and 3 of the Government Code, listed above. In addition, Mr. Palmberg has served as the Undersheriff for the past year, giving him current knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office and county operations that will allow him to carry out the business of the office with full continuity.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to conduct a recruitment for this position but should keep in mind this process would likely take a minimum of three months, which extends beyond Sheriff Leikauf’s retirement date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources and County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to Net County Cost with this action.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Sue Phillips, Chief Administrative Officer