EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – There was a packed house at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, with most there to comment on who will succeed El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf when he retires in December.
The past several weeks have been contentious ones, creating a polarized community after former Sheriff John D’Agostini went public on social media with his criticism of the sheriff whom he endorsed to replace him after his retirement. Then Leikauf announced his retirement on October 8 after serving in the sheriff’s office for 36 years. D’Agostini wanted to be named Sheriff after his retirement.
The Supervisors had an agenda item Tuesday to vote on moving Undersheriff Eric Palmberg up to Sheriff when Leikauf retires.
One after another, dozens of people spoke in front of the board for almost two hours to voice their opinions on the situation. El Dorado County District Attorney (DA) Vern Pierson spoke of the current tension and threw his support behind Palmberg. He has now been the DA with four different sheriffs, and said the board needed to follow responsible succession, as is normal procedure, and that Palmberg is a responsible second in command.
We “deserve steady leadership until the next election,” said Pierson.
Both Leikauf and D’Agostini also spoke.
“The first thing I would like to do is apologize to you all for having to go through what you have gone through the past several weeks,” Leikauf said.
“My sole purpose in seeking this appointment is to right a wrong; that’s it,” said D’Agostini. “I made it abundantly clear that I’m pursuing this appointment to return to the seat I left to repair what I broke by choosing my successor.”
Before their vote, the supervisors said they were concerned about what the recent conflict has done to the community and to the sheriff’s office, and how unfortunate the situation was.
Both the Leikauf and D’Agostini families have been residents of El Dorado County for generations and have long-standing roots in the community.
Supervisor Brian Veerkamp had a planned hunting trip and missed the meeting. He submitted his opinion in writing, saying they should wait to vote and not rush to a decision.
The other four supervisors voted to appoint Palmberg as the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator effective upon Leikauf’s retirement on Christmas Day. His salary will be $25,701.87 per month. The term ends in 2028, and the position will be decided in an election.