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-Editorial
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Geoffrey Holbrook as county counsel, effective Oct. 20, 2025.
Holbrook, selected after a recruitment process that identified him as the most qualified candidate, will serve under a four-year contract that runs through October 19, 2029, consistent with state law. His annual base salary will be $290,000, with performance evaluations conducted annually in October. He will also receive benefits and leave allowances equal to other non-elected department heads, along with a $550 monthly vehicle allowance. The agreement includes no severance package.
In addition to his standard responsibilities, Holbrook will oversee development of a countywide ethics and compliance program, manage the Equal Employment Opportunity function, and direct internal investigations. He will also supervise litigation, risk management, and liability claims while providing recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the structure of the Human Resources and Risk Management Department.
The board emphasized that Holbrook’s contract will remain fiscally neutral to the county budget. Savings are expected through eliminating a deputy county counsel position, reducing outside counsel costs, and adjusting insurance and contract expenditures.
Holbrook currently serves as general counsel for the Imperial Irrigation District where, under the direction of the Board of Directors and general manager, he plans, organizes, coordinates, and controls the operations, activities, and functions of IID’s Legal Department.
Holbrook’s duties include developing and administering a comprehensive legal services program for the district. He provides legal advice, professional legal services, coordinates district legal matters for the board and district management staff, and oversees the selection and work of outside attorneys.
He is a licensed attorney in California. He joined IID in February 2022 as associate counsel and served as interim general counsel up until the time of his appointment in November 2022.
Before his work at the district, he served as City Attorney for the City of Imperial and operated a law office in Imperial, providing general civil and public agency practice.
Ruth Duarte, a representative of the Teamsters, expressed support for the appointment of Geoffrey Holbrook. “Mr. Holbrook is a good choice. I’ve worked with him during my 30 years with the Teamsters, and there has always been a good relationship, understanding, and fairness toward employees when it came to grievances,” Duarte said. She noted some concerns over salary transparency but added, “In short, I do agree with the selection of Mr. Holbrook. He has substantial knowledge and experience for this position.”
He also worked in county government, serving as senior deputy county counsel for the County of San Diego within its Land Use and Environmental Group and as a deputy, senior deputy, and assistant county counsel for the County of Imperial.
He earned his juris doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, a diploma in taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law, a bachelor’s from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is a member of the California State Bar.
In other news, Supervisor Peggy Price was elected Vice Chair of the Board after Jesus Escobar resigned from the position following a sexual harassment investigation by the former clerk of the board.
