Stanislaus Supervisor Vito Chiesa to lead state association

Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa will lead a state association that lobbies on behalf of the 58 counties in California.

Chiesa was elected president of the California State Association of Counties at the group’s annual meeting last week in Anaheim. He was sworn in by state Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

The supervisor will spend a year leading a slate of officers including Amador County Supervisor Richard Forster, first vice president; San Diego County Supervisor Dave Roberts, second vice president; and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, past president.

“Each of these individuals has a long history of thoughtful leadership and a passion for public service in their home counties,” CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate said in a news release.

Chiesa has been the Board of Supervisors’ representative to CSAC for six years. A caucus of medium-size counties elected him as the first vice president a year ago and a voice vote confirmed his promotion to the top post at last week’s conference.

“I am excited,” Chiesa said. “You are always humbled and honored to be chosen by a group of your peers to represent them. I will try to do what is right for California counties.”

Chiesa said the position provides more access to the governor’s office, Department of Finance and other state agencies. County government is concerned with issues that affect everyone’s lives, whether it’s public safety, health services, transportation or water, he stressed.

With the state budget in better shape, the association of counties will urge state leaders to make good on deferred payments to counties that were promised in previous budget deals. The association’s advocacy efforts in the coming year are certain to focus on the drought and other water issues, Chiesa added.

He said his term as president will require him to attend quarterly meetings of the CSAC board and executive sessions held in Sacramento. He also will attend an annual meeting of the National Association of Counties and make trips within the state to learn more about issues important to counties.

As an example, he said he wants to visit the location for the proposed Sites Reservoir in Colusa County, which would add nearly 2 million acre-feet of water storage for the state.

Chiesa is in his second term on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, representing a district that includes Turlock, Denair and Hughson.

This story was originally published November 24, 2014 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Stanislaus Supervisor Vito Chiesa to lead state association."