County of Santa Barbara Announces Appointment of Public Works Director

The County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of Chris Sneddon as the incoming Public Works Department Director. Sneddon’s selection comes after an extensive nationwide search to find the ideal candidate to succeed Scott McGolpin, who will retire from the position in March 2024. Sneddon will assume his new role on April 1, 2024.

Sneddon has worked for Santa Barbara County since 2002 and is the Public Works Department Deputy Director of Transportation. He is responsible for the planning, engineering, construction, administration, and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure within the county’s unincorporated area. He also serves as the Southern California County representative on the Local Highway Bridge Advisory Committee. He has actively participated in the committee since 2012, where he was instrumental in developing the Bridge Investment Credit policy. Chris has more than 25 years of engineering experience and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science Degree in Geophysical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Regarding his appointment, Sneddon said, “I am honored and excited to lead the Public Works Department and continue the vital work of maintaining and improving our County’s infrastructure. 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.”

County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato said, “Chris has 22 years of invaluable experience and knowledge about our county, having served at all levels in the Public Works Department. Chris 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.”

Board Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said, “I have seen Chris Sneddon’s dedication to the County and our residents firsthand. 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.”

As Director of the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department for the past 16 years, McGolpin oversaw the Water Resources, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Transportation, Surveyor, and Administration Divisions, including a staff of approximately 300 employees and a budget of $172 million. His significant achievements include developing the Road Maintenance Annual Plan and constructing the Randall Road Debris Basin. He recently led a locally funded project to move 1 million cubic yards of material to reestablish the banks of the Santa Maria River and help protect the economically disadvantaged community in and around the City of Guadalupe.

“No one has been more committed to providing for and maintaining Public Works’ infrastructures, facilities, and services than Scott. 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,” said Miyasato.

The Public Works Department is comprised of five Divisions: Administration, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Surveyor’s Office, Transportation, and Water Resources. For more information on the County’s Public Works Department, visit www.countyofsb.org/pwd.