San Joaquin County May Battle to Keep Baker

San Joaquin County supervisors said Wednesday they plan to offer their highly regarded chief administrative officer a big enough incentive to prevent him from going to Ventura County.

They said they will meet next week to discuss offering a raise to David Baker, who accepted the top job in Ventura County on Wednesday, in hopes that he will not leave.

Baker, who oversees 6,500 workers and a $700-million budget, was selected by Ventura County supervisors on Monday to replace Lin Koester, who retired this month.

San Joaquin County officials, however, say chances are slim that they will successfully persuade Baker to stay.

“My colleagues value Mr. Baker as much as I do,” San Joaquin County Supervisor Steven Gutierrez said. “I can understand why another county would be looking at him. But no matter how much we sweeten the pot, he might be ready to move on and move up.”

Ventura County supervisors unanimously chose Baker during a closed meeting. They did not make the decision public. But after The Times reported the selection, Supervisor Frank Schillo confirmed Wednesday that he and his colleagues agreed on Baker.

They plan to take a public vote on Baker’s appointment Oct. 12.

“We had an agreement around the table,” Schillo said. “We all had his name in mind. . . . He’s got an excellent track record. He’s analytical, very articulate and seems to be a good motivator. He’s also compassionate.”

Schillo voiced concern that a bidding war between the two counties may now take place.

“This is always a possibility,” he said. “There’s no good reason his name should be out until all the details are arranged. If this thing blows out, it’s going to be a real darn shame.”

Schillo and Supervisor John Flynn emphasized the importance of a unanimous vote in hiring the new chief administrator. Koester, who had the job for four years, was hired by a split board. During his tenure, he continually struggled to gain the board’s full support.

“It’s always good to have a unanimous decision when you chose the top leader for the county so it doesn’t send mixed signals,” Flynn said. “That way, he’s on firmer ground.”

Baker would not say Wednesday whether a raise would keep him in San Joaquin County. If he takes the new job, his yearly salary of $128,000 would increase to about $150,000.

“I’m honored to be considered,” Baker said. “But I’m very respectful of the process and there’s still a background review pending.”

But Baker also said he has strong family ties to Southern California. His 18-year-old daughter attends UC Irvine and his in-laws, mother and brother live in San Diego.

“It would be a great opportunity to continue my career in a promotional setting and in a very desirable area,” Baker said.

San Joaquin officials said Baker led that county out of a financial crisis. When the state took $43 million in property taxes to benefit schools in 1993, Baker developed a “layoff mitigation” plan where about 100 employees who were paid with general fund money were transferred to federally funded county jobs.

“He watches dollars like a hawk, as he should,” Gutierrez said.

Former Ventura County administrator Richard Wittenberg said that he knows Baker well and that he is an excellent choice.

“He has a reputation of being a first-rate administrator,” said Wittenberg, now Santa Clara County’s top manager. “I think the board picked very wisely, and it will be a very good match.”

Baker is a good fit not only because of his experience as a top county and courts administrator, Wittenberg said, but because he is a soft-spoken and friendly guy who can be tough when necessary. He added that those are the qualities needed to heal the wounds of recent Ventura County battles over control of the mental health agency.

“I think he will be a healer,” he said. “He has qualities that will help bring people together.”

Times staff writer Daryl Kelley contributed to this story.