Press Release
Yolo County Administrator Appointed
(Woodland, CA) – Today, Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mike McGowan announced the appointment of Patrick Blacklock as Yolo County’s new county administrator. Mr. Blacklock currently serves as the City of Elk Grove’s assistant city manager. He was chosen to be Yolo County’s new administrator by a unanimous vote of the board after a comprehensive search following the retirement of former county administrator Sharon Jensen in August.
“Patrick Blacklock joins Yolo County at an extraordinary time,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mike McGowan. “Though challenging, the downturn in the economy forces us to do business in a different way, and as a result, seize new opportunities. Mr. Blacklock is fully capable of leading us into this new era as he brings a wealth of experience with him, and most importantly, a fresh perspective to help us all rise to the occasion. We welcome him and look forward to working with him in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.”
Prior to serving as Elk Grove’s assistant city manager, Patrick Blacklock was dean of Careers and Technology at Cosumnes River College, the first county administrator for Amador County, and vice-president of government relations for the California Cattlemen’s Association. Patrick Blacklock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Managerial Economics and a Master of Agriculture and Management degree, both from the University of California at Davis.
Accomplishments during Blacklock’s tenure with Amador County include adoption of balanced budgets with significant contingency and reserve components; collaborative development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan; redevelopment of a former mill site into a regional retail and workforce center; creation of a state and federal legislative advocacy program; development and completion of several capital improvement projects, including a new administration center, courthouse, and animal control and adoption center; creation of regional city and county recreation and fire protection planning joint powers agencies; and initiation of an educational partnership with Cosumnes River College.
Blacklock’s responsibilities with the City of Elk Grove include serving as the city’s lead in economic development and as the primary representative in the city’s sphere of influence and multi-agency South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan planning efforts. Most notably, Blacklock has led an effort to strengthen and improve the city’s development services functions, including creation of an accelerated permit process for high value economic development projects, initiation of collaborative industry and interagency working groups, and completion of an updated impact fee study which reduced fees 30-50%.
“I have been impressed by the collaborative spirit shown by Yolo County’s employees and I am excited by this unique opportunity to match my professional experience, which includes agricultural, academic, and rural and urban local government administration, with the community my family and I call home,” said Patrick Blacklock. “The Board of Supervisors’ recent adoption of the General Plan not only provides a framework to ensure Yolo County remains the community we value today, but also identifies a pathway to economic sustainability in the future. I look forward to joining the many implementing this farsighted plan.”
Blacklock currently serves as the volunteer president of UC Davis’s alumni organization, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. Blacklock, his wife Julie, their son Riley and daughter Kyra are Yolo County residents.
Patrick Blacklock will assume the position of Yolo County Administrator on January 4, 2010.