Joint Special Council/BFPD
06/3/25 06:00 PM
Administrative Services
Darcy Wigington
Presentation
Doc ID: 5988
AGENDA ITEM
AGENDA MATTER:
ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (2024)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) amends the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act and creates a new obligation for public agencies to publicly address the status of their vacancies. As a basis for the new requirements, the California Legislature determined that vacancies are a widespread and significant problem in the public sector. Vacancies impact service delivery, requiring employees to take on heavier workloads, which can lead to burnout and increased turnover, potentially negatively affecting the delivery of public services.
This staff report is intended to serve as the City’s reporting of position vacancies as of December 31, 2024, before the adoption of the annual budget, in compliance with the bill.
DISCUSSION:
AB 2561 imposed four requirements on local agencies: (1) at least once each fiscal year before the adoption of the annual budget, an agency’s governing board must hold a public hearing and receive the agency’s report on the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts prior to the adoption of the final budget; (2) during the hearing, the agency must identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to hiring obstacles; (3) the agency must allow the recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit to make a presentation at the hearing; and, (4) if any City bargaining units have more than a 20% vacancy rate, the City must present certain additional information upon the request of the impacted bargaining unit.
The following City positions are currently vacant as of the time this staff report was prepared:
Administrative Services Director
Dispatcher (2)
Economic Development Director
Executive Assistant
Firefighter/Paramedic (2)
Firefighter EMT
Office Assistant
Police Chief
Police Officer (5)
Public Information Officer
Public Services Assistant I/II
The City is actively recruiting for the positions of Administrative Services Director, Dispatcher, Joint Special Council/BFPD
06/3/25 06:00 PM
Administrative Services
Darcy Wigington
Presentation
Doc ID: 5988
AGENDA ITEM
Firefighter/Paramedic, Firefighter EMT, and Police Officer. The City has closed recruitment and is moving forward in the hiring process with applicants for the positions of Executive Assistant, Office Assistant, Police Chief, and Public Services Assistant I/II. The City is considering a staffing restructure for the positions of Economic Development Manager, Executive Assistant, and Public Information Officer.
Staff have not identified any necessary changes to policies that may present an obstacle in the hiring process. Staff performed a 2024 Classification and Compensation Study to bring the City into parity with similar agencies. Staff is additionally looking into different methods to help streamline the hiring process and update the required hiring documentation to be electronically signed and filed. The City continues to take steps in support of recruitment and retention.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The only cost associated with implementation of AB 2561 is the staff time associated with developing the report and presentation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file report on Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) Attachment A - Bill Text - AB 2561