Inyo County’s Costly Exit: What’s Driving the Greenberg Departure?

Opinion/Editorial By: Tyler Beadle

tyler opinion

Howdy, Inyo community. As your dedicated local reporter, I have been diligently investigating the recent departure of County Administrative Officer Nate Greenberg. Following the September 29 announcement of a mutual agreement to part ways, I sought clarity after the September 26 special meeting yielded no action. A public records request revealed a severance agreement signed September 29, placing Greenberg on paid administrative leave until May 15, 2026. With a salary ranging from $18,000 to $20,000 monthly, totaling up to $280,646 annually with benefits, this equates to over $150,000 for doing no work.

The agreement cites “different directions” and includes a comprehensive release of all claims, hinting at a possible effort to avoid a lawsuit. Public support at the meeting may have influenced this decision. However, the cost could double if an interim CAO is hired, potentially reaching $340,000 to $390,000 over 7.5 months, straining our budget amid ongoing fiscal challenges.

I reached out to all supervisors over a week ago for insight, yet received no responses, likely due to confidentiality clauses. Supervisor Griffiths replied to another inquiry of mine but not this one, suggesting restricted communication. This silence fuels speculation about underlying tensions, possibly budget or policy disputes with our county board. Was Greenberg in the process of doing something prior to his release? Are there any other motives that lead to this decision?

I am committed to uncovering the full story. My next steps include filing additional CPRA requests and following up on emails. Is this a prudent move to sidestep legal issues, or an extravagant expense for our community? I invite your feedback via email [email protected]; Stay tuned as I continue to pursue the truth for Inyo.