STOCKTON - Each member of the Board of Supervisors has an assistant whose role varies from gathering information to talking to constituents to filling in for supervisors at events or meetings.

These assistants aren't elected and don't have a vote, but they play a role in the function of government at the level decisions are made in San Joaquin County.

That role is large enough that on Tuesday the board voted that these assistants make the same declarations of economic interest that elected and other top-level officials on the public payroll are required to file.

"So we have more open government and more transparency," said Supervisor Victor Mow, who drove Tuesday's discussion.

State law lists specific positions whose holders are required to file statements of economic interest, but it can include other employees if they have influence on decisions.

"The law is very broad," said County Counsel David Wooten, who himself is required to file such statements.

Different counties have similar positions to the five legislative assistants in San Joaquin County.

In Alameda, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Ventura counties, people in these types of positions need to fill out the conflict-of-interest forms, according to a report prepared by local staff.

But they do not have to in Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Sonoma, Stanislaus and Tulare counties.

San Joaquin County legislative assistants said they help their supervisors research decisions, but the supervisors have the final say.

"I don't try to lobby him," said Stephen Reid, legislative assistant to Supervisor Larry Ruhstaller. "I try to give him all the information he needs to make a decision."

Carlos Villapudua said assistants need to know everything about issues coming before the board.

He is an assistant for Supervisor Steve Gutierrez.

"Sometimes my boss will roll some ideas with me and ask my opinions," Villapudua said. "(But) he makes the ultimate decision."

The new rules won't go into effect right away. The Board of Supervisors will have to first approve an updated conflict-of-interest code to reflect Tuesday's vote.

All five supervisors voted in favor of the change.

"The only thing that bugs me ... is why now, when we're leaving," Gutierrez said.

Both Gutierrez and Mow term out after this year.

Contact reporter Zachary K. Johnson at (209) 546-8258 or zjohnson@recordnet.com.

Reader reactions have moved These discussions and our forums are not moderated. We rely on users to police themselves, and flag inappropriate comments and behavior. You need not be registered to report abuse. In accordance with our Terms of Service, we reserve the right to remove any post at any time for any reason, and will restrict access of registered users who repeatedly violate our terms.