6-FIGURE JOB GOES BEGGING MONEY CAN'T BUY ENOUGH INTEREST IN COUNTY'S POWERFUL CAO POST.

Byline: TROY ANDERSON Staff Writer

Despite Los Angeles County government's premier status as the nation's largest, it is having trouble landing high-caliber candidates for its top administrative job.

While the chief administrative officer's post offers a six-figure salary and the prestige of overseeing a $21 billion-a-year budget, two of the five finalists have withdrawn from consideration.

Last week, the five-member county Board of Supervisors voted to hire the retiring CAO, David Janssen, for up to four more months while they continue searching for his successor.

Despite the job's attractions, county government's wide-ranging problems -- including ailing jails, a growing homeless population and an overburdened health care system -- could be putting a damper on recruiting. The high price to buy a house in Los Angeles also may hurt.

``I know how powerful that position is, but I can see how it would be tough to get a top-flight individual,'' political analyst Allan Hoffenblum said. ``This is a county with a lot of problems. And then there is the cost of housing and the commute.''

Last week, the top-ranked candidate, Sandra L. Vargas, withdrew from consideration. Instead, she will head a foundation in Minneapolis.

Vargas, the administrator for Hennepin County, Minn. -- Minneapolis is the county seat -- has a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University and was the only candidate whose current job involves overseeing the far-ranging budget of a large county government.

``Although I am totally honored and was very excited about the job offer, this wasn't the right time in life to make the move to L.A.,'' Vargas said.

``The supervisors were very gracious and candid about the challenges and opportunities in their county. The county has superlative leadership in their elected officials. I am sure they will find someone very qualified to do the job.''

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said Vargas was offered the CAO job but told supervisors that she took the Minneapolis position because she preferred not to move.

``I think we were all pretty resigned to the fact that, if she was offered the (foundation) job in Minnesota, she would stay there,'' he said.

Yaroslavsky said supervisors must now decide whether to select from the remaining three finalists or contact others recommended by a recruiting firm.

``I'm very optimistic that we will make a selection and it will be a good one,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``We are going to take our time because this is the most important hiring decision the Board of Supervisors makes.''

The remaining finalists are Mark Saladino, the county's treasurer and tax collector; Gilbert F. Ivey, chief administrator for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; and Wally Hill, deputy administrator of Hillsborough County, Fla.

Huge challenge

Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies, said the job is a huge responsibility.

``It must be a very daunting challenge for people,'' Stern said. ``Plus, you have five separate bosses, and that's another challenge. And on top of that, David Janssen has done a fabulous job, and the next person is going to have some really big shoes to fill.

``In some ways, it can be a no-win situation. You are not going to get much credit.''

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior scholar at the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development, said the magnitude of the problems may make it difficult to recruit the best and brightest to oversee services in a county of 10 million people.

``It may be possible that some of the really good people don't want to get involved in government,'' Jeffe said.

``There is very little psychic reward. People tend to be distrustful of government. People tend to look at the government as the enemy. The stresses are great. The problems are great.

``I wouldn't want to apply for a job like that.''

But Yaroslavsky said the county's problems could be very attractive to someone who enjoys challenges.

``There are people like that, and this is the best CAO job in America,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``It is the pinnacle of counties in the United States. This is the biggest county in the country.''

Last week, the supervisors interviewed four candidates to succeed Janssen, who became CAO in 1996 and officially retired last week after 34 years of public service.

The supervisors also voted Tuesday to rehire Janssen, 61, for up to 120 days while they continue their search.

Janssen, whose annual salary was $242,116 when he retired, will now collect his pension and an additional $20,176 a month under his short-term contract.

Under county pension rules, a retiree can work for up to 120 days a year without affecting pension income.

The new CAO's salary will be negotiated at the time of hiring.

``I don't think we can pay $350,000,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``There is a salary range for county administrators in this state. I have no problem paying top dollar, but we don't have unlimited funds.

A tough act

``We're a public agency and accountable to taxpayers.''

Political analyst Joe Cerrell said Janssen is a tough act to follow.

``I even mentioned to one supervisor in passing at a sporting event to make (Janssen) an offer he couldn't refuse to stay a little longer,'' Cerrell said.

``When you get the support of the five kings and queens, you have to have something going for you. It's that category I used to do poorly in in school: works and plays well with others.

``He gets an `A' because he can get along with all five members of the Board of Supervisors.''

troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com

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