Luce Named 2014 Chair of Napa County Board of Supervisors

Napa County Supervisor Mark Luce got the nod Tuesday from his fellow county board members to take the seat of chair of the board for 2014.

Supervisor Diane Dillon was approved as vice chair for 2014 at Tuesday's first county board meeting of the new year. 

Luce, who represents District 2 on the county panel, replaces Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht, who served as 2013 chair.

"It was a good year," Wagenknecht said in receiving thanks from his fellow board members for his service. "We got some big stuff done."

Both Luce and Dillon, who represents District 3, were then voted in as chair and vice-chair, respectively, for a slew of other smaller government panels, such as: Napa County Public Improvement Corp.; Silverado Community Services District; Monticello Public Cemetery District; Napa County Flood Protection and Watershed Improvement Authority; and other groups.

Also in Tuesday's 2014 reorganization, supervisors agreed to keep the same committee and commission assignments. 

In addition, they approved similar conservative budget policies as in previous years, despite some indication of improvement in the economy.


"It is conservative, but it's the thing that's kept us afloat," Wagenknect said. "It offers the best possible chance for success."


Tops on the list of the policies are that department budgets expenses should include no increase in net cost to the county's general fund.

"The two exceptions are:  (1) increase the general fund contribution to the roads fund by $560,000, for a total contribution of $2,052,000; and (2) increase the general fund contribution to the Health & Human Services Fund [reserves}," said Leanne Link, of the county's executive office.