Logo courtesy of Butte County

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Butte County voters appeared headed toward approving Measure P, a proposed charter amendment allowing the county to separate the duties of Road Commissioner and Public Works Director.

Unofficial election results released days after the June 2 election showed the measure leading with about 61 percent voter support compared with about 39 percent opposed, though additional ballots remain to be counted.

Under the county’s current charter structure, the Public Works Director also serves as Road Commissioner, a position requiring registered civil engineering credentials.

Before the election, the Butte County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution supporting the measure.

During the May 26 discussion, Chief Administrative Officer Andy Pickett said the Public Works Department has evolved far beyond its historical role overseeing roads and bridges. Pickett said the department now also manages landfills, county vehicle fleets, floodplain operations, county service areas and other functions, creating a need for greater flexibility in how department leadership is structured.

Pickett also told supervisors that recruiting candidates with both engineering credentials and broad public works management experience has become increasingly difficult.

The amendment does not require the county to divide the responsibilities into two separate jobs but instead allows the option of assigning the duties either to one individual or separate positions depending on operational needs.

County leaders stated the amendment would not require additional staffing. Supervisors also noted that more than half of California counties have already separated the functions of Road Commissioner and Public Works Director.

Opponents of the measure argued the change could create additional layers of county bureaucracy and potentially lead to higher administrative costs in the future.

The measure follows the county’s recent hiring of Colt Esenwein as Public Works Director, who currently meets the qualifications to perform both responsibilities.

The June 2 statewide primary election drew 41,461 ballots cast in Butte County on election night, representing about 32.65 percent voter turnout.