The Plumas County Board of Supervisors terminated its contract with County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero effective April 15. Board Chairman Kevin Goss confirmed the board action April 22 in a telephone interview with The Plumas Sun.
The vote was unanimous, he said, and taken in closed session after the public board meeting.
Contract termination terms
Lucero has served as CAO since Nov. 1, 2022, when she was hired with a salary of $160,000 plus benefits. The supervisors placed her on paid administrative leave Jan. 21.
In terminating Lucero, the supervisors exercised a clause in her contract that allowed them to take the action without citing a cause. It requires them to pay Lucero for 90 days after termination, Goss said.
Lucero will remain on the payroll from April 15 until around July 13, Goss said. Prior to her termination, Lucero received around $40,000 for the 12 weeks she had been on paid administrative leave. She is eligible for an additional sum of around $40,000 over the next 90 days.
Former Butte County supervisor
Before the Plumas supervisors hired Lucero, she served one term on the Butte County Board of Supervisors but failed to win a second term. Former Human Resources Director Nancy Selvage told the supervisors in September 2022 she recommended Lucero for appointment as Plumas County CAO after carefully checking her references, according to a report in Plumas News. The vote to hire Lucero was 4-1, with Supervisor Jeff Engel voting no, said Goss.
At the time Engel said he did not realize Lucero had lost her election bid. Engel said he had the impression that her district has been redrawn–-“redistricted out,” the Plumas News story said.
Accomplishments and controversy
During Lucero’s two-plus years as Plumas CAO she tackled major issues confronting the county, including the county’s obsolete energy systems. That resulted in a $10.9 million contract with ENGIE. She also contributed to filling the many department head positions vacated during the COVID pandemic and Dixie Fire.
Her tenure included conflict. In February 2024, she filed a hostile workplace complaint that cited District Attorney David Hollister. An investigation in June 2024 found the complaint lacked evidence.
Speaking in January, shortly after placing Lucero on paid administrative leave, Goss told The Plumas Sun the discussion and subsequent action were related to Lucero’s handling of the county human resources department. In addition to her CAO responsibilities, Lucero had been serving as interim HR director for about 15 months, while the incumbent, Selvage, was on paid administrative leave pending felony charges. Selvage was dismissed immediately after she was convicted March 25 of felony conflict of interest.
Next steps
Goss said the board is grateful to Lucero for her contributions to the county and her dedication. “We thank her for her efforts and wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” he said in a written statement.
The supervisors will continue to address several issues in closed session related to Lucero’s termination, Goss said. He provided no information about whether the supervisors will look for another CAO. Prior to Lucero’s appointment, the county employed a county administrator who doubled as the county risk manager, now a separate position.
“We understand that changes in leadership can bring uncertainty, but we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Further updates will be shared as we move forward,” Goss said in his written statement.
Lucero did not respond to a request for comment.