Wendy Tyler, former Colusa County chief administrative officer, was appointed interim director of the Butte County Public Works Department on Jan. 13. File photo

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – In a near direct exchange of county leadership, the Butte County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 appointed former Colusa County Chief Administrative Officer Wendy Tyler as interim director of Public Works. Tyler will fill the vacancy created when former Butte County Public Works Director Joshua Pack left to become Colusa County’s top administrator.

The Butte County board approved the 180‑day waiver under CalPERS rules, clearing the way for Tyler to return to public service before the standard post‑retirement waiting period. Human Resources Director Sherry Waters said Tyler, who retired from Colusa County on Sept. 25, 2025, can serve in a temporary capacity while Butte County recruits for a permanent Public Works director. Tyler began her duties as interim director on Jan. 14 at about $18,000 per month. 

For 10 years, Tyler oversaw countywide operations, budgets and department leadership in Colusa County. She has more than two decades of experience in public administration, including prior municipal management roles.

The Butte County Public Works Department oversees about 1,300 miles of county roads, more than 500 bridges and drainage structures and roughly 18,000 road signs. Its divisions manage engineering, road maintenance, land development, fleet services, surveying and solid waste operations, including the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility. The department also handles construction projects, floodplain oversight, illegal dumping enforcement and recycling programs.

Pack’s departure in December left Assistant Directors Scott Hightower and Terry Edwards managing the department’s operations during the interim period.

Board Chair Bill Connelly publicly thanked both for stabilizing the department while carrying full workloads of their own, adding that their work helped keep operations moving forward as the county welcomed Tyler and continued its search for a permanent director.

Tyler told supervisors she was ready to assist Butte County in any way during the recruitment process.

“Clearly, there are challenges in every county,” Tyler said. “Butte County is no different.”

Tyler said she intends to get out into the districts with board members as soon as possible to see firsthand the issues raised during the meeting, along with any other concerns that may need attention while the county completes its search for a permanent director.

“I absolutely am excited to come on board and help the organization through this transition,” Tyler said.