Supervisors Mum About Why Ag Commissioner Was Let Go

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have remained quiet on the reasons behind the sudden termination of Agriculture Commissioner Cathy Neville this Tuesday, prompting speculation that it violated the state's open meetings law, according to an article in the Press Democrat.

Neville, 53, had been on administrative leave since January following an investigation into why she dismissed the former director of Animal Care and Control director two days before her probationary period was up. She later made headlines after she was arrested for driving under the influence.

Neither Efren Carrillo, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, nor County Administrator Veronica Ferguson would comment on why Neville was fired, citing personnel matters. But an open government advocate said that the Brown Act, the state's opening meeting law, requires elected officials disclose publicly when they hire or fire someone, and if voting happens, disclose the result.