Interim County Administrative Officer John Nilon. Photo submitted
Apparently finding a new leader of the County Government will take longer than expected, so County Supervisors extended the contract of a man they brought in as an interim County Administrative Officer.
Supervisors on July 11 approved a 1-year contract for Interim County Administrative Officer John Nilon, who was brought in to fill in for departed County CAO Wade Horton, who resigned in April.
“When Nilon was appointed in May,” reads a news release from the County Admin Office, “Supervisors approved a 3-month agreement with him, with options to extend his contract on a month-to-month basis thereafter.”
His contract was extended through May 1, 2024, “with automatic renewals every thirty days unless modified by mutual agreement of the County and Mr. Nilon.”
Nilon worked for some 32-years for Kern County, retiring as Kern County CAO in 2016, according to the news release. He has a ton of experience.
“He led five county departments before serving 8 years as CAO,” according to the release. “After his retirement, he has lived full-time with his wife in Cambria and served that community with roles on the North Coast Advisory Council Board of Directors and the Cambria Community Healthcare District.”
Nilon is happy to help. “I’m honored to continue my service to the residents of San Luis Obispo County and to work alongside the talented team of employees that make up the County of San Luis Obispo’s workforce,” he said.
Supervisors are apparently not in a big hurry to find a permanent replacement for Horton. “The County does plan to partner with a consulting firm to begin nationwide recruitment in early 2024,” the news release said, “to fill the CAO role on a more permanent basis.”
