Chris Sneddon is the new Santa Barbara County Public Works Director after 22 years with the county, including several as the deputy director of transportation within the department.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Sneddon to the director job Tuesday to replace Scott McGolpin, who is retiring at the end of March.
“I look forward to working with our dedicated teams to continue making everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve,” Sneddon told Noozhawk.
“I have seen Chris Sneddon’s dedication to the county and our residents firsthand,” Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said in a statement about the appointment.
“Through storm after storm, Chris and his roads crews have answered the call and restored critical access to the public. As public works director, he will now extend that same level of dedication to the entire department.”
County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato said Sneddon “has been a demonstrated leader, effectively collaborating on tough issues and always trying to find solutions that best serve all residents. I can’t think of anyone more qualified than he for this important post.”
McGolpin has headed the department for 16 years, and is a familiar face briefing elected officials and the public about county infrastructure and major projects, including roads, the Tajiguas Landfill, debris basins, and emergency storm repairs.
“No one has been more committed to providing for and maintaining Public Works’ infrastructures, facilities, and services than Scott,” Miyasato said in a statement. “His work at the county for these last 35 years has been legendary.
“He has never backed down from a challenge and created a vision of growing leadership at all levels within his department. We are grateful for his service to our county and the communities we serve.”
The Public Works Department includes 300 employees and an annual budget of $172 million. The divisions include water resources, resource recovery and waste management, transportation, surveyor, and administration.
Under McGolpin’s leadership, the department developed the Road Maintenance Annual Plan, built the Randall Road Debris Basin, and responded to many infrastructure-damaging disasters, including wildfires, flooding and the 2018 Montecito debris flows.
Sneddon starts as director on April 1. In addition to his two decades of Public Works Department experience, he has a civil engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a master’s degree in geophysical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, according to the county.
“I am honored and excited to lead the Public Works Department and continue the vital work of maintaining and improving our county’s infrastructure,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to working with our high-performing staff, the Board of Supervisors, the county executive office, and other departments to accomplish great things for our communities and constituents.”