Sutter County supervisors OK new CAO's pact

Sutter County supervisors made it official Tuesday night, giving new County Administrative Officer James Arkens the opportunity to trade in Mono Lake for the Sutter Buttes.

Arkens, who will start next month in his new role, was confirmed by the board as the permanent CAO after previous CAO Stephanie Larsen retired last summer.

"The whole thing is, I'll have to meet with the board and learn more," Arkens said after the meeting. Among the issues he believes he will have to face are establishing better ties with the city of Yuba City, improving county levees, balancing the budget and making continued progress on a new animal shelter.

"And I'm sure there are going to be many more," he said.

Previously the top administrator and human resources director for Mono County, Arkens will have an annual salary of $185,000 and will receive $4,000 in moving expenses.

His salary will not have automatic raises, but will instead be set by the board after an annual review.

After he was introduced by the board, Arkens said he received the job offer from Sutter County the same day he received an offer from elsewhere.

Seeing the strong ties among the board being sworn in for a new term, and thanking retired Supervisor Larry Montna for his service, made him feel justified in coming to Sutter, Arkens said. "I hope to do this community justice," he said.

Supervisors approved appointing Arkens on a 4-0 vote, with new Supervisor Ron Sullenger abstaining because he had not been part of the interview process.

But Sullenger said for future executive positions in the county, he would suggest forming an advisory committee of executives in the private sector locally to get a better perspective on such roles. The other supervisors did not comment.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.