MADERA - With the pending retirement of Madera County Chief Clerk Rhonda Cargill on the horizon, the Madera County Board of Supervisors met last week in closed session to select the new Chief Clerk. While there has been no official announcement from the county, Big Valley News has learned from two members of the board that an offer of employment has been sent to Karen Rodriguez-Pogue, daughter of current Madera County Supervisor Max Rodriguez.

Pogue is the 55-year-old daughter of Max and Sarah Rodriguez and currently works in deposit services management at United Security Bank where she has been employed for the last twelve years. She also operates MEPCO,  a vending machine business she started with her former husband Mark Pogue in 1989. She is a 1989 graduate from California State University, Fresno with a degree in marketing and a 1983 graduate of Madera High School.

The chief clerk of the board performs all acts required by state law or by county ordinance as directed by the Board; answers varied inquiries and provides information regarding Board actions; prepares the agenda for Board meetings and keeps official records of actions taken by the Board; plans, organizes, and directs the clerical services for the Board; and processes legal documents, notices, and orders of the Board. Other functions include keeping official records of Special Districts, Air Pollution and Flood Control Boards, the Board of Equalization, and various commissions, committees, and authorities which are advisory to the Board of Supervisors. The position, with benefits, pays $145k a year.

The hiring is expected to be made public at the board’s September 1, 2020 meeting. We have made several inquiries to the Madera County Council Regina Garza to see if Supervisor Max Rodriguez would be resigning his position four months early to avoid any conflicts of interest or the violation of the county nepotism rules. Supervisor Rodriguez was not in attendance for the closed session meeting or any employment interviews.

The voters of Madera County Supervisorial District Four selected Leticia Gonzales in March to fill Rodriguez's seat when he retires at the end of the year. She is scheduled to be sworn in at the last meeting of December unless Rodriguez resigns. 

Rhonda Cargill was appointed to the chief clerk of the board in 2016 and previously served as a legislative assistant.