Sonoma County names Erick Roeser auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector

Sonoma County supervisors have promoted Erick Roeser, a senior financial manager with more than two decades of experience working for the county government, to succeed Donna Dunk as auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector.

The appointment of Roeser, previously one of the assistant auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collectors, marks the second time supervisors have named someone to the elected position since the last time it was on the ballot in 2014. Dunk retired May 26, nearly 14 months after supervisors appointed her to replace David Sundstrom, who retired less than halfway through his first elected term in the post.

Roeser, 51, was the only person up for consideration Tuesday during a rare public job interview conducted by the Board of Supervisors, a step state law requires them to do when filling a vacated elected office. After Dunk informed the county of her retirement, staff members looked internally for a replacement and determined Roeser was the only one who fulfilled the required job qualifications, according to Christina Cramer, the county’s human resources director.

Roeser’s appointed term expires in January 2019. He said he intends to run for election next year and, if successful, would consider a second, elected term in the post.

“I’m definitely on a five- to nine-year plan,” Roeser said after Supervisor Susan Gorin asked about his intentions.

The appointment is the third for the county’s consolidated chief financial post since 2012, when Rod Dole, who long held the position, retired.

Earlier in the interview, Roeser said his career had given him a “unique opportunity” to gain the experience necessary for the position. He’s worked for the county for more than 23 years, the last 16 of which he spent in what is now the auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector’s office. His experience includes working on Santa Rosa’s annexation of the Roseland neighborhood, currently part of the unincorporated county.

“You really did solve some big fiscal formulas for us at the very end, so I really appreciate some of the heavy lifting that you did to get that to where it is today,” said Supervisor Shirlee Zane, the board chairwoman, to Roeser.

Roeser has a bachelor’s degree in management with an emphasis in accounting from Sonoma State University. He has served as part of the office’s senior management since 2007, leading multiple different divisions, including general accounting and property tax accounting.

The office covers a wide range of duties, including collecting and distributing property taxes, managing the county treasury and overseeing internal audits. He said the office was due for a review and “major upgrade” of the county’s payroll system.

Roeser’s new salary will be $228,039, a nearly $83,000 raise from his pay last year, according to county payroll records.