Pending departure of county CEO ‘huge loss’
Imperial County Chief Executive Officer Tony Rouhotas Jr., whose tenure has included arguably some of the most tumultuous events in the area’s 120-year history, announced Tuesday he is leaving the job effective Dec. 31.
“I think it’s a huge loss for our county. He built a great bridge between the county, our citizens and the Board (of Supervisors),” said District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar.
Rouhotas took the helm in January 2018 following the departure of his predecessor, Ralph Cordova Jr. He has notified the board he will not renew his contract when it expires, according to a statement by Gilbert Rebollar, county public information officer.
Rouhotas came to the CEO’s job following a long career at the county Fire Department that concluded with him being fire chief. His CEO tenure included a devastating cyberattack that shut down much of the county computer system in spring 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic that again caused massive operational disruptions.
In recent months, the county has taken heavy fire from opponents of face-covering and vaccine mandates, mostly set by the state but overseen by the county Public Health Department. The county also temporarily expanded the face-covering requirements beyond the state rules.
“I don’t think that anybody could have done a better job (on the crises). His work at the Fire Department prepared him for the crises he faced as CEO,” Escobar added.
But the county has made strides in helping develop an industry to extract lithium from the groundwater that powers geothermal plants. It could eventually employ thousands, proponents have said.
The county also put forth measures to make election information more accessible following complaints about the 2018 balloting process.
“What stands out is he is committed and willing 24/7. You just don’t find that,” said county board Chairman Michael Kelley. “He did a good job throughout some trying times: COVID, the cyberattack, budget issues. I was impressed to his devotion not only to Imperial County, but the Imperial County workforce.”
Rouhotas’ value to the community is his approach to the job, said Eric Reyes, an organizer for the Los Amigos de la Comunidad community organization, who often speaks during public comment at board meetings and was recently on the county supervisor redistricting committee.
“It was a big surprise,” he said of the abrupt announcement by Rouhotas. “It’s a potential loss. I haven’t agreed with everything he’s done, but I agree with his open-door policy, which hasn’t always happened in the past (with previous CEOs). He has really grown into the job.”
Even Jarrad Reeves, who has been among the most vocal opponents of the COVID mandates appearing at county board meetings, praised Rouhotas in a text message.
“I had a chance to talk to Tony. He is just at the end of his road. He has been doing it (public jobs) for over 30 years. So I guess all I can say is thanks for everything he has done for this county,” Reeves said.
Rouhotas earns $180,000 per year. He has continued a family tradition of public service. His father, Tony Sr., was a long-time county Sheriff ’s Office deputy whose career included heading the boating safety and enforcement unit.
Concerning the process of seeking a replacement, Rebollar said, “Mr. Rouhotas is committed in assisting the county with the transition into new administrative leadership. The public will be informed at a future date on how the board will proceed with filling the position.”
Asked what he would like to see in the next CEO, Reyes said, “Someone who is open to hearing all sides and has experience with our border and our environment and our health issues. If you don’t address those, you can’t grow economically.”