Held to state election code, the board of Supervisors will appoint the next Lassen County Sheriff by Spring.
Sheriff Dean Growdon announced his retirement early last week, after one year into his term. Though the Sheriff said that were he to have known the law would change, he may have announced his retirement sooner, stating to the Board of Supervisors he wasn’t ready last election cycle.
The state updated election code 1300 in 2022, requiring an election to select a sheriff to be held with the presidential primary, as echoed by county counsel. Therefore the board will have to fill the 5 year vacancy by appointment as no special elections are provided within the law.
The next time voters will be able to have a say in who is sheriff will be in 2028.
Supervisor Ingram of District 5 sought to find other options to allow the community to have a vote, but counsel said it is clearly defined there is no other way.
The supervisors did agree Growdon has built a strong foundation of leadership beneath him in his 13 years as Sheriff Coroner and stated their confidence that the right person will emerge and step into his shoes.
County Administrative Officer Richard Egan said the county would open an application period following the end of the year, accepting applications for three to four weeks and beginning interviews, stating the process should not take long to appoint the next sheriff.
Any person living in the county with the qualifications of the sheriff’s duties can apply for the position.
