Nevada City, CA – Two key county leaders with decades of experience were honored at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting for their service.

Mike Dent, director of Housing and Child Support Services, worked for the County for 30 years, while Steve Monaghan, director of the Information and General Services Agency, worked for the County for 25 years.

Mike Dent

Mike Dent and Jeff Tynan presenting the VFW Recognition to Mike
Jeff Tynan from the Veterans of Forgotten Wars Banner Mountain Post 2655 presented Mike Dent with a certificate on behalf of the group. Tynan spoke about Dent’s selflessness and partnership while working together when the County’s Cold Weather Shelter was activated at the Nevada City Veterans Hall. During Mike’s 30-year career with Nevada County, he also played an integral role in developing around 200 affordable housing units, serving hundreds of people, including Brunswick Commons, Empire Mine Courtyards, Lone Oak Apartments, Cashin’s Field, and more. 

Dent began his career in the County as a correctional officer for the Sheriff’s Office. He moved to the Probation Department where he rose to program manager and trained staff in defensive tactics and the use of firearms and the baton. He also collaborated with community partners to serve at-risk children.

Dent later became director of social services, where he helped reduce a backlog of applications related to the Affordable Care Act and participated in a statewide effort to reform the out-of- home placement process of youth involved with the court system or welfare. He also served as co-chair of the fiscal committee of the Statewide Child Welfare Director Association.

Under his leadership, Child Support Services ranked among the top five performing counties statewide in ensuring families receive the financial assistance they need to thrive. With regards to housing, Mike played an integral role in developing around 200 units of affordable housing, serving hundreds of people, including Brunswick Commons, Empire Mine Courtyards, Lone Oak Apartments, Cashin’s Field, and more.

“Nevada County is one of the highest performing public entities in the whole state of California,” Dent said. “I am privileged to have served this organization and its residents these past three decades. The forward-thinking vision of our Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Officer Alison Lehman are second to none and is the driving force to our excellence as a public organization.”

Steve Monaghan

Steve Monaghan and Chastity Benson who presented the CSAC Award
California State Association of Counties Chief Operation Officer Chastity Benson presented Steve Monaghan with their 2024 Circle of Service Award, speaking about how Steve has exemplified what it means to be a public servant. During his career, Monaghan has earned numerous awards, including California Public Chief Information Officer of the Year, recognition as a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver of Technology in Government and the Visionary Award for IT Leadership, the Rural County Representatives of California President’s Award and, most recently, the 2024 California State Association of Counties Circle of Service Award.  

Monaghan’s leadership extended over numerous transformative projects. He spearheaded energy conservation initiatives, implementing over $15 million in energy and solar projects while guiding the County’s energy plan and a community energy action plan.

He negotiated the acquisition of properties, liquidated the County’s 125-year-old hospital campus, led the concept-to-completion development of the $18 million County Operations Center, which houses the County’s roads, transit and fleet divisions, and helped the community establish the Oak Park District.

He drove initiatives to expand Internet connectivity through strategic partnerships and local grant programs, developed a robust cybersecurity program and developed a statewide credentialing initiative for Information Technology (IT) leaders, teaching extensively on leadership topics.

In addition, he expanded the Office of Emergency Services from a one-person team to an 11- person organization and drove the award-winning Ready Nevada County program.

He has earned numerous awards, including California Public Chief Information Officer of the Year, recognition as a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver of Technology in Government and the Visionary Award for IT Leadership, the Rural County Representatives of California President’s Award and, most recently, the 2024 California State Association of Counties Circle of Service Award.

“This is a special place, it’s a special community and this is a special organization,” Monaghan said. “It’s that stability. You have a CEO that’s been here 20 years that provides that continuity and that extreme leadership…It’s the team. I didn’t win all those awards; the team won all those awards.”