EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton, notified the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors today of his intention to step down and resign from his position as the CAO in March 2023 and suggested the Board begin a recruitment process for the position this month to provide ample time to select the next CAO.
“El Dorado County has been very fortunate to have Don at the helm for the last six and a half years, securing a healthy budget that puts us in a good position as we approach uncertain fiscal times, and navigating the County through unprecedented times related to the COVID pandemic and the Caldor Fire,” said Board Chair Lori Parlin. “And in true fashion regarding his forward- and big-picture thinking, Don has graciously provided the Board with more than six months’ notice so that we can be best situated to carry on in his absence,” she added.
Ashton began his career with El Dorado County as the Chief Fiscal Officer for the Sheriff’s Office in January 2011. He was director of the Health and Human Services Agency for three years before being appointed as CAO in May 2016. The previous CAO, Terri Daly, resigned in 2014 after four years in the position and an interim replacement was appointed until the promotion of Ashton.
During his time as CAO, Ashton shepherded the development and updates to the County’s Strategic Plan and budget policies resulting in record amounts in contingency and reserves to address infrastructure challenges and the fiscal uncertainties facing the County while also providing a more competitive compensation structure for County employees.
In April, Don Semon, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency director, stepped down.