To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Appointment of Stephanie Kretz as Director of Child Support Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Appoint Stephanie Kretz as Director of Child Support Services, effective September 14, 2026; and
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board, County Administrative Officer, and Director of Human Resources to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the appointment.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3003 - Enhance employee recruitment and retention
DISCUSSION:
On April 28, 2026, the former Director of Child Support Services resigned from County employment, creating a vacancy in the Director position. Since that time, Stacey Costa has served as Interim Director of Child Support Services, providing leadership and continuity to the department while the County conducted a recruitment and selection process for a permanent director.
Following completion of the recruitment and interview process, Stephanie Kretz was identified as the recommended candidate for appointment as Director of Child Support Services.
Kretz currently serves as an attorney within Humboldt County Child Support Services and brings significant knowledge of the department, California's child support program, and the operational and legal requirements associated with providing child support services. During her tenure with the department, Kretz has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to both the employees of Child Support Services and the families served by the department.
Kretz has also played an important role in addressing recent operational challenges facing the department, including changes associated with the State's child support guideline calculator and the resulting...
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