As county officials begin to search for a replacement for Michael Harris, who left as chief of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to become the director of government affairs for CenCal Health, the Board of Supervisors elected to reclassify the position from a department leader to an assistant department leader. The OEM — which currently has seven positions — sits under the CEO’s office. CEO Chandra Wallar said the move was appropriate and consistent with what other counties are doing. She said that while she didn’t make the recommendation because of potential savings, she anticipates the move will save between $15,000-$20,000 annually.
