John Tavaglione Appointed To Chair County Board Of Supervisors

Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione today was appointed chairman of the Board of Supervisors, a post he last held in 2007.

At the beginning of its second-to-last meeting before the Christmas break, the board unanimously approved Tavaglione's appointment, as well as the appointment of Supervisor John Benoit to the vice chairmanship.

The chairman and vice chairman do yearlong terms, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Customarily, unless a supervisor requests not to be considered, the positions are rotated annually, giving each board member an opportunity to serve.

The chairman is responsible for conducting the board's regular meetings, signing proclamations and representing the county at public events. The vice chair steps in whenever the chair is unavailable.

This will be the first time Benoit serves as vice chair. The former state lawmaker was appointed to represent the Fourth District following the death of Supervisor Roy Wilson in 2009 and less than a year later won election to the office.

Tavaglione is finishing a year at the helm of the California State Association of Counties, where his duties have included engaging the governor on state actions that impact localities.

The new chairman is expected to outline his goals for 2012 during the board's first meeting in the new year on Jan. 10.

The county is facing an $80 million deficit, which could necessitate laying off up to 600 employees.