The Colusa County Board of Supervisors last week appointed Richard Stout to serve as County Counsel.
Stout, 49, will begin his duties on Sept. 1. He replaces Marcus Kroft, who left Colusa County in March to accept a position as assistant general counsel for Matheson Trucking, a major United States Postal Service contractor and freight transporter.
County officials said Stout ascended to the position in a very competitive recruitment effort.
Stout currently serves as County Counsel for Tehama County, but the move to the Colusa County position will place him closer to his home in Yuba City.
The Board of June 22 waived the Colusa Countys current residency requirement for the county officer, as they did for previous counselors.
Stout holds his juris doctor degree from the University of California, San Diego, and has been a member of the bar since 1996. He is an experienced trial lawyer, and has worked in juvenile, family, probate, civil, and criminal matters. He is well versed, however, in juvenile law, Brown Act, HR, and contracts, officials said.
” Mr. Stout comes with just an incredible background,” said HR Director Jolene Church. ” We had so many wonderful applicants, but to get someone of his caliber – 16 years of experience in a county setting as county counsel or assistant/deputy county counsel justified his placement.
Board Chairman Gary Evans added that hiring Stout was the result of a very robust recruitment effort.
” Its amazing what we got,” Evans said, following the unanimous decision.
The board approved Stouts contract for four years, starting at $14,623 per month plus benefits.
Former Interim HR Director David Prentiss will remain at the helm of the department until Stout takes over. –