Calaveras Supes To Address Sheriff Succession
San Andreas, CA – Due to the untimely passing of Sheriff Gary Kuntz on Thursday, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will address the hard task of appointing an interim sheriff at its Tuesday meeting,
According to Chairman Cliff Edson, County Counsel Megan Stedtfeld was asked to provide direction on Friday.
According to the meeting agenda documents, Stedtfeld indicates that, per government code, the board must make an appointment to fill the position, pending the next general election. The appointee could either hold office for the entirety of the unexpired term or until the first Monday after January 1 that succeeds the next general election. Sheriff Kuntz had been recently reelected to a new four-year term that began in January.
The county counsel further directs that until the board makes its appointment, the ranking Captain next in line of authority is charged with discharging the Sheriff’s duties with like authority, subject to the same obligations and penalties.
In the past, when Sheriff Kuntz had been away from the office, the Bureau of Operations Captain was responsible for filling in. That post is currently held by Capt. Jim Macedo.
While receiving the latest update on Butte Fire recovery efforts, the supervisors will also consider possible actions to address risks of debris flow impacts in the fire footprint area.
They also expect to approve modifications for lending from the county’s teeter plan under emergency declaration circumstances, so that the fire districts involved in the Butte Fire response, whose personnel and supply costs have reportedly far exceeded their available resources, may borrow up to 100 percent of their apportionment through next June.
The meeting will open to the public at 9 a.m. in the supervisors chambers at the county government center (891 Mountain Ranch Road), following a closed session at 8 for a labor negotiation conference.
