Transparency / Public office directory
Who Can Run.
What It Pays.
An independent guide to San Benito County’s elected offices, their responsibilities, qualifications and public compensation. Organized by office, not by officeholder.
THE PUBLIC PAY LEDGERAnnual salaries below are figures reported in the 2026 county candidate handbook. They are not take-home pay or total compensation. Health benefits, pension contributions and any additional payments are not included. Salary figures should be rechecked against current county schedules before public release.
Five district seats · Four-year regular term
Board of Supervisors
Published annual salary$100,181.13
Monthly equivalent$8,348.43
What the office does. Adopts county budget, ordinances and policy; oversees county services.
Who can run. District residency and voter registration; no professional degree generally required.
Supervisor figure appears in 2026 handbook for Districts 3 and 4; other districts should be confirmed.
Supervisor benefits in addition to salary
County supervisors receive compensation beyond base salary. The California State Controller reports $98,887 in total employer retirement and health contributions for the five positions grouped under the County Administrative Office/Board of Supervisors in 2024, or approximately $19,777 per reported position if divided equally. This is a department-level figure, not a verified benefit amount for each individual supervisor; actual contributions can vary.
County benefit materials describe medical, dental and vision coverage, CalPERS retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation options and leave programs for eligible employees. Those general employee descriptions do not establish that every supervisor receives each listed benefit on identical terms. Specific supervisor eligibility and employer-paid premiums should be confirmed with county Human Resources.
State Controller: 2024 retirement and health contributions ↗ · County benefits and employment policies ↗
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
Assessor
Published annual salary$219,664.02
Monthly equivalent$18,305.33
What the office does. Assesses taxable property values and administers assessment roll.
Who can run. County voter; appraiser certification requirements under Government Code §24002.5.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
Auditor-Controller
Published annual salary$240,894.37
Monthly equivalent$20,074.53
What the office does. County accounting, fiscal controls and financial reporting.
Who can run. County voter; qualifying CPA, accounting education and fiscal management experience, or statutory county auditor experience under §26945.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
County Clerk-Recorder / Registrar of Voters
Published annual salary$208,240.86
Monthly equivalent$17,353.40
What the office does. Official records, vital records, and elections administration.
Who can run. County voter; no specific professional degree generally required.
Registrar of Voters is not a separately elected office.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator
Published annual salary$208,231.71
Monthly equivalent$17,352.64
What the office does. Treasury investments, tax collection and certain estates.
Who can run. County voter; qualifying finance experience, specified education and coursework, CPA, or CFA under §27000.7.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
District Attorney
Published annual salaryNot verified for 2026
Monthly equivalent—
What the office does. Prosecutes criminal cases and directs the district attorney office.
Who can run. County voter; admission to practice law in California.
2024 reported total wages: $230,993; not a 2026 base salary.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
One countywide seat · Four-year regular term
Sheriff-Coroner
Published annual salaryNot verified for 2026
Monthly equivalent—
What the office does. Sheriff services, jail administration and coroner functions.
Who can run. County voter; statutory POST or law-enforcement experience pathways under §24004.3.
2024 reported total wages: $246,277; not a 2026 base salary.
2026 County Candidate Handbook ↗
Work schedules, attendance and time off for elected officials
Elected office is different from ordinary employment. County elected officials hold public office rather than reporting to a supervisor in the same way most county employees do. Their daily work may include meetings, field visits, community events and work outside a county office. Elected officials generally set their own work schedules and are not required to maintain regular office hours or be physically present in the office, provided they fulfill the legal duties and responsibilities of their elected positions. Unlike the employees they oversee, elected officials are not necessarily subject to the same attendance, scheduling and leave requirements that apply to county employees. This creates a distinction between the workplace standards elected officials establish or enforce for employees and the standards governing their own work schedules. Elected officials remain responsible for fulfilling all applicable legal duties, including required meetings, attendance obligations and other responsibilities of public office.
Supervisors have scheduled public responsibilities. San Benito County establishes regular Board of Supervisors meetings under its county code. State law also provides for supervision of the official conduct of county officers. Unlike regular county employees, elected officials may have greater flexibility over their work schedules and are not necessarily subject to the same attendance and leave policies. This difference can be especially striking given the compensation associated with some elected offices. Elected officials must still fulfill their legal responsibilities, including attending required meetings or providing notice of an absence when applicable.
County code: Board meeting requirements ↗ · County code: county office hours ↗ · California Government Code §25303 ↗
County Executive Officer (appointed position)
The County Executive Officer is appointed, not elected. For salary, employment agreement, allowances and performance-evaluation records, see the County Executive Officer accountability profile.
