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C. 22
To: Board of Supervisors From: David Twa, County Administrator Date: February  6, 2018		Contra Costa County
Subject: APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR - BRIAN BALBAS
APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On:   02/06/2018 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE: John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Dianne Dinsmore - (925) 335-1766 cc: Dianne Dinsmore, Human Resources Director	I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED:     February  6, 2018 David Twa,   BY: , Deputy
RECOMMENDATION(S): APPOINT Brian Balbas to the position of Public Works Director at Step 4 of the salary range effective February 1, 2018, all other benefits as provided in the current Management Resolution applicable to the position of Public Works Director. FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact associated with this action will result in an increase of $29,300 annually which includes an increase of $7,700 in pension costs. BACKGROUND: In September of 2017, Public Works Director Julie Bueren retired after 36 years of service with Contra Costa County. Brian Balbas, Chief Deputy Public Works Director - Exempt, was appointed as Interim pending the recruitment and selection of a new Public Works Director.

  
The County retained Avery and Associates to recruit for a new Public Works Director. The job announcement was advertised with California Association of Counties (CSAC), American Public Works Association (APWA), Society of Woman Engineers (SWE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), International Hispanic Network (IHN), Careers in Government, Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC), Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC), Contra Costa County career website and Avery and Associates career portal. Job announcement brochures were mailed out to 106 Public Works Directors at both the City and County levels. A total of 22 candidates applied by the final filing date of the recruitment. Avery and Associates screened applicants and three (3) semi-finalists were forwarded to the County Selection Committee comprised of David Twa, County Administrator, Dianne Dinsmore, Director of Human Resources, Eric Angstadt, Chief Assistant County Administrator, and Raul Rojas, Public Works Director, Marin. Interviews were held on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Following those interviews, Brian Balbas was selected for the position.   
  
Mr. Balbas earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He joined Contra Costa County in 1989 as a Staff Engineer, served one year as the Acting City Engineer for City of Oakley beginning in July 1999, promoted to Senior Civil Engineer in 2000, then to Assistant Public Works Director in 2004. In 2007 he was appointed as Deputy Public Works responsible for Engineering Services, Capital Projects, Facilities Services, Real Estate, Administrative Services, Construction, Maintenance, Materials/Recycling, Fleet Services and departmental Information Technology. During his service as Chief Deputy Public Works Director from June 2016 to September 2017, Public Works was re-accredited by the American Public Works Association for the fourth time. Mr. Balbas was integral to the successful re-certification. Following Public Works Director Ms. Bueren's retirement, Mr. Balbas was appointed Interim Public Works Director. He has been active in professional organizations, including serving as the 2016 President of the Northern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association. Given his years of service, he is familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of his department and has developed relationships with our partners throughout the County, region and state.  
  
I am recommending Brian Balbas be appointed Public Works Director at Step 4 of the salary range effective February 1, 2018.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: