New Ventura County CEO’s contract approved with starting pay of $335,554

Sevet Johnson

County supervisors this week approved a contract for newly appointed executive officer Sevet Johnson that makes her selection official. 

Johnson, 41, of Moorpark, is the first African American and the second woman to hold the position in the nearly 150 years since the county was established. Although the Board of Supervisors named her in August as county executive officer after a national search, the promotion only took effect Tuesday with the approval of her contract.

She will be paid a base salary of $335,554 annually to start but likely will receive raises given to managers periodically plus any increases the board approves.  

Acting board Chairman Matt LaVere praised Johnson’s leadership during a tumultuous period. The former behavioral health director became interim CEO in March after former CEO Mike Powers stepped down under pressure. She was also credited as a steadying influence in the aftermath of the sudden death of Chairwoman Carmen Ramirez in August.

“We’ve been through a lot these six months and your leadership has continued to be exceptional,” LaVere told Johnson at Tuesday’s board meeting. “I am incredibly excited to have this on the agenda and remove the interim tag from your title.”

The former director of the Behavioral Health Department will draw the same base salary as Powers did. But the term of her contract is for three years rather than five, provides one year’s severance if she is terminated without cause versus the six months in Powers’ contract and calls for an automobile allowance of $900 a month rather than $600.

LaVere said there was no particular reason for the shorter term. Johnson requested the longer severance. The $900 a month for the auto allowance is justified by the demands of the job, he said.

“She is going to be driving all over the county,” he said. 

Supervisors approved the six-page contract 4-0. Ramirez, who died after being struck by a pickup truck in Oxnard on Aug. 12, was a strong supporter of Johnson as well.

Johnson will continue accruing benefits for a county pension and the government will contribute an additional 5% of her annual salary to a 401(k) plan. The first evaluation of her performance must be done by May, the contract said.

Johnson thanked the supervisors for giving her the opportunity to serve as CEO after the contract vote, saying she was honored to be able to continue the work she had done in an interim capacity.

In an interview Thursday, she said she was ready to dive in.

Being the interim CEO didn’t slow her down, she said, but now she can think about what changes to make. She is the top administrative official in the county government, which employs about 10,000 people and provides health care, public safety, environmental enforcement and other services. 

Johnson said challenges ahead include work on homelessness and housing, economic vitality, environmental sustainability and climate change.

Supervisors Linda Parks and Kelly Long thanked Johnson for taking on the demanding job, noting that it will cut down on the time she can spend with her family. Johnson and her husband, Myron, have two daughters, ages 8 and 11.

Johnson counts her hobbies as swimming, baking and reading. 

“I don’t do any of those things right now,” she said. “I don’t have time. Right now, I am just focused on the job.”

Kathleen Wilson covers the Ventura County government, including the county health system, politics and social services. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271.

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