Local Politics · Mendocino County
Mendocino County Appoints Two Executives at Combined ~$950K Annual Cost
At its Tuesday, October 20, 2026 meeting, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors appointed Michael Rossi as County Counsel with total compensation of $461,000 per year and confirmed Sara Pierce as permanent CEO at a base salary of $275,000 with estimated total compensation of $481,000 per year. The combined cost of the two appointments is approximately $950,000 annually. Rossi transferred from a mid-level attorney position in the Santa Clara County Counsel's office. Supervisor Ted Williams stated he would seek at least $1 million more for road repairs in the next budget but acknowledged uncertainty about funding sources. The article questions whether the compensation figures are fully itemized in the county's approved 2026/27 budget.