LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors held its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, during which newly elected officials were sworn in and the board chose its 2023 leadership.

At the start of Tuesday’s meeting, the board held its annual reorganization.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier nominated Supervisor Jessica Pyska to be the chair for 2023, with Supervisor Moke Simon to be vice chair. Supervisor Michael Green seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0.

That was followed by a swearing-in ceremony for several reelected and newly elected county officials.

While their oaths needed to have been taken by Jan. 2, the group took their oaths together in a ceremonial swearing-in that’s customary at the board’s first meeting of the year following election years.

Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez administered the oath of office to supervisors EJ Crandell and Bruno Sabatier, and District Attorney Susan Krones, who were each reelected to second terms in 2022, and Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford who won third terms last year.

Also taking their oaths were county employees stepping into new leadership roles — new Treasurer-Tax Collector Patrick Sullivan and County Clerk/Auditor-Controller Jenavive Herrington.

Sullivan succeeds Barbara Ringen and Herrington succeeds Cathy Saderlund.

Both Ringen and Saderlund retired in December, with more than 70 years of county service between them.

Not in attendance for the ceremony was Lake County’s new sheriff, Rob Howe.

Howe, who for the past 11 years has served as chief probation officer following 19 years with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, was appointed sheriff by the board on Dec. 20. He succeeds Sheriff Brian Martin, who retired effective Dec. 30.

He took his oath on Jan. 2 at the Registrar of Voters Office.

Howe sent a message for Tuesday’s meeting, which Pyska read, apologizing for his absence and explaining that he was away for a week at the California State Sheriffs' Association’s sheriffs school, which is offered once every four years.

“I would like to sincerely thank the board for the faith and trust they have shown in me with this appointment to the position of Lake County sheriff. It means a great deal to me. I take the responsibility very seriously and I have every intention of rewarding their confidence,” Howe’s message said.

As a lifelong resident who has spent his entire professional career in local law enforcement, Howe said, “I am happy and excited to be given the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of our county.”

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