COUNTY RESUMES SEARCH FOR TOP EXECUTIVE

Current CAO will remain at the helm until later this year

As San Diego County supervisors restart their search for a new chief administrative officer, the outgoing top executive will stay at the helm for now.

The Board of Supervisors decided back in April to pause the search for a new CAO until there is a new representative in place for District 4, as Supervisor Nathan Fletcher’s resignation loomed following sexual misconduct allegations.

In the interim, the board voted to reappoint Helen Robbins-Meyer, who had previously planned to retire March 30 after more than a decade in the top position and a quarter-century working at the county.

Last month, the board voted unanimously during closed session to restart the search for a CAO to succeed Robbins-Meyer. The District 4 vacancy will be filled by Dec. 5, allowing Fletcher’s successor to be involved in the selection process.

Although in April Robbins-Meyer had been expected to return in “semi-retired” status for another six months, county officials confirmed Thursday that she would stay on longer.

County spokesperson Michael Workman said Friday she was expected to leave office around the time a new supervisor is sworn in — leaving a slight gap between her departure and a successor’s start date.

“We are fortunate that our current CAO, Helen Robbins-Meyer, continues to be at the helm of the county and together we are focused on moving the county forward,” said Chair Nora Vargas.

The recruitment process became politically contentious last spring as Fletcher’s resignation neared. Supervisors Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson, the two Republicans on the board, previously called it “tainted” by his involvement and called for starting over.

Now as District 4 voters prepare to choose between San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe and activist Amy Reichert in a Nov. 7 special election, the county is starting over.

Desmond said the decision “reflects our commit