Supervisors request change to Public Administrator’s office

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday showed its support for a bill by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia to turn the Public Administrator’s Office into an appointment position, rather than an elected one.

Local officials approved a resolution to support Assembly Bill 798, which would allow supervisors to directly designate the person in charge of that agency.

The matter was part of the consent agenda which was approved unanimously by the board.

Recently, the Public Administrator Norma Saikhon, resigned the position with the purpose of retiring.

The former county employee was directly elected by Imperial County voters.

Supervisors justified the change by arguing that Saikhon’s departure and direct appointment will allow them to have a smooth and rapid transition to ensure that vulnerable people who depend on the agency can continue to receive benefits without any problems.

The Office of the Public Administrator is responsible for handling the assets of people who die without a will or who lack the ability to manage their own assets for physical or mental incapacity.

The California Legislature has allowed 14 counties to directly appoint their Public Administrator.

In the 2014 election, lawyer Christian Legaspi contested Saikhon in the election to become head of the agency.

Elections for voters to elect the Public Administrator would have been scheduled in 2018.

The Office of the Public Administrator provides support to some 800 persons in the management of their property, either by order of a judge or those who have died intestate.

The measure was presented by Garcia since last Feb. 15 and has been adopted in legislative commissions unanimously.