Monterey County board authorizes interim CEO at Natividad, sets $461,643 salary

Monterey County Board of Supervisors members voted to authorize the county administrative officer to sign an employment agreement appointing Nancy Buscher as interim chief executive officer of Natividad Medical Center after the hospital's CEO, Dr. Chad Harris, resigned to take a position with another organization.

County administrative officer said the board was being asked to allow the CAO to execute an interim appointment "while we work to identify our next CEO" and to use a competitive recruitment process over the coming months. A board member stated, "And in compliance with the state statute, the compensation would be $461,643 per year." The board opened the item for public comment and, after a pause, the Chair said there were no speakers.

A motion to authorize the CAO to sign the employment agreement was made and seconded; the Chair noted on the record a motion from "Lehi" and a second from "Church" as transcribed, then called for a vote. The measure passed unanimously with all present voting "Aye." The transcript does not specify individual roll‑call vote counts. The Chair thanked Dr. Chad Harris for his service and expressed appreciation to Nancy Buscher for agreeing to serve in the interim role.

The board confirmed there was no reportable action from closed session, declined to return to closed session, and adjourned the meeting.

Next steps: the county will proceed with a competitive recruitment process for a permanent Natividad CEO while Buscher serves in the interim capacity.