Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith recently appointed two current county staff members with intimate knowledge of local government and public services to serve as deputies in his office.
James Williams, 30, who started his career with the County Counsel’s office in 2010, was appointed Deputy County Executive in charge of procurement, contracting, 911 communications, office of emergency services and the supervisors’ finance and government operations committee, according to a press release from county staff.
John Mills, 39, who has been chief of staff for Supervisor Ken Yeager since 2006, will serve as Deputy County Executive in charge of legislative affairs and intergovernmental relations, public safety and justice committee, probation, sheriff’s office, medical examiner-coroner, pretrial services, office of human relations and the registrar of voters starting May 5.
Williams, who has already served as Deputy County Executive in charge of special projects, has played a “substantial role” representing the county’s interests in the dissolution of redevelopment agencies since the state closed the agencies in 2011, according to county staff.
He has successfully argued before the California Supreme Court that dissolution of the state’s 400-plus RDAs should be dissolved and their assets distributed back to more basic services, according to the press release.
Williams’ work as a fellow in the county counsel’s office in 2010 landed him a position as deputy county counsel advising the county’s finance agency and related offices, county staff said.
“We are preparing to meet new challenges, while the organization is undergoing transition with baby-boomer retirements,” said Smith. “We are fortunate to have highly capable staff members who are up to the task. James will continue to work on redevelopment issues and now his responsibilities are expanding.”
Before joining the county, Mills honed his policy making skills with the city of San Jose as District 6 chief of staff, according to the press release. From 2001 to 2004, he was District Director for 24th District Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn, where he managed district office operations and designed a constituent service and outreach plan.
For the last several years, during his free time Mills has served various public advisory groups including the parks and community services commission, the housing advisory committee and the economic development advisory committee for the City of San Ramon.
“I’m thrilled to embark on this next chapter in my professional career with the County of Santa Clara, and to join the exemplary team in the Office of the County Executive,” said Mills. “I have a deep respect for the County’s mission from my nearly eight years as chief of staff to Supervisor Yeager, and I’m looking forward to renewing my commitment to the County in this new role.”
Williams’ new salary is $182,000, county staff said. Mills’ salary will be $180,000.
