The report found the county’s decision “inappropriate” to appoint Carole Groom to fill the final two years of Hill’s term. A 3-1 majority of the county board cited the $1.6 million expense of holding a special election as the main reason for avoiding an election.
The Grand Jury disputed that rationale, saying the cost for the election could have been much lower.
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As written, the county charter allows the county government to make the decision between a special election or appointment.
The report recommends the Board of Supervisors create a ballot measure for the next general election to revise the county charter so that a special election is mandatory when there is more than one year left on a vacated county seat.
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