Yuba treasurer suggests successor
As supervisors said farewell Tuesday to longtime Yuba County Treasurer-Tax Collector Jim Kennedy, they got a suggestion from him about who should take his place.
Kennedy, who is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years as the county's chief financial manager, suggested supervisors appoint his assistant county treasurer, Dan Mierzwa, to take over.
"I don't think you'll find anyone better," Kennedy told supervisors, adding making such an appointment would save time by avoiding an application and selection process the county would normally undertake. "His portfolio is superior."
Though the county treasurer post is an elected position, Kennedy has rarely faced opposition. He noted to supervisors Tuesday he too first became county treasurer by appointment rather than election.
Mierzwa, who's worked for the county since 2007 under Kennedy, said he was flattered by Kennedy's recommendation.
"It's sort of an honor, considering all the knowledge and honors and accolades he has," Mierzwa said after the meeting. "That really means more than anything, to know someone with that kind of knowledge and experience thinks that highly of my skills."
Supervisors accepted Kennedy's resignation letter, submitted last week, at their regular meeting Tuesday. They scheduled a vote for their next meeting, on Nov. 10, to consider whether to appoint Mierzwa.
Supervisor Hal Stocker praised Kennedy's counsel in recent years, noting the county didn't take a more extravagant stance during boom economic times because of it.
"Your fiscal conservatism was very much appreciated," Stocker said, noting many other cities and counties are in worse financial shape than Yuba County because it took a different path. Board Chairman John Nicoletti added, "You guys have taken a very solid approach to keeping us fiscally sound."
Mierzwa said if he's appointed to the treasurer/tax collector spot, he'd still hope to be able to tap Kennedy's expertise as needed.
"Economics is cyclical, and he has knowledge of the office and the jurisdiction," Mierzwa said. "He will be a resource we'll continue to have."
Mierzwa said he's worked in financial management since 1999, and in that role specifically for city and county governments since 2000.
Kennedy became Yuba County's treasurer/tax collector in March 1980, after previous Treasurer/Tax Collector Clifford Irish retired. He was elected to full four-year terms seven times.
Honored last year by the Yuba-Sutter United Way as its top local community volunteer, Kennedy told supervisors he planned to stay active in such community groups.
"I have to do something during my retirement," he said.
Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4709 or bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com. For more news, see Ben's blog "Yuba County Insider" at appealdemocrat.com.
