AB 2561 Vacancy Report - FBEO
Fort Bragg Employee Organization (FBEO) Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes Administrative Assistant - Non-Confidential 3 3 Emily Reno 3 1 0 Emily is the Admin Assistant mentioned on the 7/1/24 Budget for Public Works. Lisi Horstman is the Administrative Assistant in Community Development.
Laura Godinez 1 0
Lisi Horstman 1 0
Assistant City Engineer 2 2 Alfredo Huerta 2 N/A N/A
Diane O'Connor 1 0
Assistant Planner 1 1 Valerie Stump 1 0.75 0.25 Backfilled Sarah Peters.
Associate Planner 1 1 Sarah Peters 1 1 1 Added due to promotion 7/13/2025 Code Enforcement Officer 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
Engineering Technicians 2 2 1 0
Engineering Technician Kevin McDannold 1 1 0
Engineering Technician II Carlos Hernandez 1 1 1
Engineering Technician - Senior None N/A N/A N/A
Environmental Compliance Officer 1 1 Frank Kemper 1 1 0 Finance Lead 0 0 Laura Bianchi Limbird 1 1 0 Position established in November 2025.
Finance Technician I 2 2 Alexandria Frazer 2 1 0 Ruby Acosta immediately promoted from Admin Coord to Finance Technician upon Frazer's departure.
Jessica Syres 1 0
Ruby Acosta 1 0
Finance Technician II 0 N/A None N/A N/A
Finance Technician III 1 1 Adriana Hernandez Moreno 1 1 0 Government Accountant I 1 1 Laura Bianchi Limbird 1 1 0 Government Accountant II 0 N/A None N/A N/A N/A
Grants Coordinator 1 1 Lacy Sallas 1 1 0
Maintenance Division
Maintenance Division Supervisor 1 1 Ian Sanderson 1 1 0 Maintenance Workers 9 9 7 0.97916666666666674 2.0833333333333259E-2 Maintenance Worker I Open 2 0.83333333333333337 0.16666666666666663 Andrew Ryken 1 0
Brandon Wilber 1 0
Maintenance Worker II Jason Balassi 4 1 0
Justin Celeri 1 0
Justin Archimede 1 0
Marshall Morgan 1 0
Open N/A N/A
Maintenance Worker III None N/A N/A N/A
Maintenance Worker IV Steven Baxman 1 1 1
Maintenance Worker Lead None N/A N/A N/A Created to promote future career growth. Not budgeted at this time.
Mechanic 1 Craig Utsumi 1 1 0
Operations Supervisor 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
Permit Technician 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
Planning Technician 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
Systems Technician 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
Treatment Division
Treatment Division Supervisor 1 1 Alden Ramos 1 1 0
Treatment Plant Operators 7 7 0.75 0.25
Treatment Plant Operator in Training Edwin Powers 0.58333333333333337 0.41666666666666663 Diego Zapata 0.5 0.5
Andrew Wood 0.16666666666666666 0.83333333333333337
Treatment Plant Operator I None N/A N/A
Chris Brians 1 0
Paul Labreck 1 0
Treatment Plant Operator III Humberto Arellano 1 0
Cody Filosi 1 0
FBEO Bargaining Unit Total Vacancy Rate 8.0043859649122806E-2 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget Mendocino Community Network (MCN) employees were integrated into the FBEO employee group in February 2026. As a result, MCN vacancies are included in the FBEO section.
AB 2561 Vacancy Report - FBPA
Fort Bragg Police Association Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Note Community Services Officer 2 2 0 N/A N/A The CSO was frozen in exchange for sponsoring Police Recruit.
Police Sergeant 1 4 Rory Beak 3 0.25 0.75 Frank separated 1/23/2026. Beak backfilled the position. Beak, promoted 3/29/26 Anthony Welter 0.25 0.75 Separated 4/3/2026 Franco, promoted 4/5/2026 P.J. Ferris 1 0
Jarod Frank 0.75 0.25 Frank separated 4/3/2026. Welter, separated 4/3/2026. Franco replaced Welter.
Jonnathan McLaughlin 0.16666666666666666 0 Promoted to Police Commander 9/12/2025. The promotion occurred as part of agreement to only have three sergeants instead of four as in FY 2024-2025.
Police Officer 8 5 Humberto Arellano Jr. 7 1 0
Tyler Baker 1 0
Rory Beak 1 0 Promoted to Police Sergeant 3/29/26 to backfill Police Sgt. vacancy created by Sgt. Frank's departure.
Gadge Farris 1 0
David Franco 1 0 Promoted to Police Sergeant 4/5/26 to backfill Police Sgt. Vacancy created by Sgt. Welter's departure.
Logan James 0.83333333333333337 0.16666666666666663
Antoinette Moore 1 0
Amando Pacheco 1 0
Police Recruit Yes 0 Keyona Slaughter 1 0.75 0.25 Keyona Slaughter hired in exchange for freezing CSO positions.
Special Investigator Yes 1 Wesley Rafanan 1 0
FBPA Bargaining Unit Total Vacancy Rate 0.14444444444444443 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2025 Budget
Recruiting Statistics
No Requisitions 16
Time to Fill 98
Breakout of Hires Separations
MCN 9 Acquisition/Merger John Johnson End of Season voluntary Applications Received 246 CVStarr 12 7 lifeguards Alexia Frazer Resigned voluntary 1 Rec Coord Maria Flynn Resigned voluntary
3 Fitness Instructor Anthony Welter Resigned voluntary
1 Admin Asstnt II Jason Morse Resigned voluntary
PW 3 2 Seasonal Laborers (1 became MWII & one became TOIT) 1 Treatment Plant Op in Trng
Police 4 1 Soc Svcs Liaison
1 Police Officer
1 Police Chief
1 PT Admin Asstnt - At Will (Office Assistant)
Admin 1
CDD 1
Time to Fill
Broadband Director 103
Social Services Liaison 77
Administrative Assistant - Police 141
Police Sergeant 114
108.75
without Admin Assistant - PD 98
AB 2561 Vacancy Report - Confidential/Non-Bargaining Employee Group Confidential Non-Bargaining Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes Administrative Analyst yes Cristal Munoz 0 N/A 0 Cristal Munoz was promoted 7/1/2026 Administrative Analyst - PD yes Lesley Bryant 1 1 0
Senior Administrative Analyst Cristal Munoz 1 1 0 Filled by promotion.
Administrative Assistant - Administration 0 Stephanie Remington 1 0 Amber Weaver moved to Public Information Coordinator Assistant Planner/Code Enforcement Part-Time Yes 1 Valerie Stump 1 0.25 0 Position not filled. Valerie Stump reclassified to FT Assistant Planner position and kept the Code Enforcement component Audiovisual Technician (<1000 hrs) Yes Alfred Holston 2 1 0 Troy Mellott was reclassified to FT Systems Technician (IT) in early February 2026 and retained his AV responsibilities Audiovisual Technician (<1000 hrs) Yes Troy Mellott 0.58299999999999996 0 City Clerk, Non-Certified No 0 Diana Paoli 1 1 0
City Clerk Technician No 0 N/A N/A
Government Accountant III No 0 Merilyn Tiriboyi 1 0.66669999999999996 0 New classification created to accommodate employee initiated reclassification Housing & Economic Development Coordinator No 0 N/A N/A Laborer-Public Works (<1000 hrs) No 0 N/A N/A
Laborer-Water/Wastewater Yes 1 Erik Filosi 1 1 0 This is the 0.5 referenced in the FY 24-2025 for Public Works.
Permit Technician yes 1 Maria Flynn 1 0.75 0 Position was not filled.
Police Transport Officer (PT) (<1000 hrs) Yes 1 0 0 1 Position has been advertised continuously from October 2025.
Public Information Coordinator No 1 Amber Weaver 1 0.75 0 The position was vacated in February 2025. At this time, it is not a budgeted position.
Systems Analyst No 1 Mateo Ortiz 1 1 0
Social Services Liaison - Crisis Worker Grant funded. Yes. 2 Meliisa Johnson 4 1 8.3000000000000004E-2 Janette Ornelas 1 0
Daniella Aguirre Puerto 1 0
Hannah Nanez 1 0
Systems Technician PT (Broadband) No 1 Crans Squire 1 1 0 Confidential/Non-Bargaining Employee Group Total Vacancy Rate 5.6999999999999995E-2 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget Explanation of the 16% Vacancy Rate
The over 16% rate is due to the departure of the City Clerk and Public Information Coordinator. The City Clerk was filled within two months.
The City Clerk, prior to February 2025, was a Mid-Management position.
AB 2561 Vacancy Report - C.V. Starr
C.V. Starr Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Administrative Assistant I - PT 3 3 Diego Marinez 3 1 0 Mark Hopper 1 0
Gibb Alam 1 0
David Garcia 1 0
Administrative Assistant II - PT 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Administrative Assistant III - PT 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Administrative Coordinator 1 1 Belgica Gordon 1 1 0 Belgica Gordon promoted to Admin Accord to backfill Ruby Acosta in March 2026.
Open 8.3333333333333329E-2 8.3333333333333329E-2 There was a month gap between Acosta's promotion and Gordon's promotion to Admin Coordinator Ruby Acosta 1 1 0 Ruby promoted to Finance Technician I to backfill Alexandria Frazer.
Senior Administrative Assistant 2 2 Jeffrey Beard 1 1 0 N/A N/A
Custodian I - CV Starr 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Custodian II - CV Starr 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Custodian III - CV Starr 1 1 Maria Escobedo 1 1 0
Fitness Equipment Technician 0.125 0.125 Mike Mihos 0 N/A N/A Does dual role. Also does Fitness Instructor I Fitness Instructor I - CV Starr 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Fitness Instructor II - CV Starr 5 5 Kathy Marden 0.125 1 0 Tai Sunnanon 0.125 1 0
Mike Mihos 0.125 1 0 Does dual role. Also does Fitness Equipment Instructor II.
Noel Trost 0.125 1 0
Deborah Karish 0.125 1 0
Head Lifeguard 1 1 Caleb Holland 0.125 1 0
Lifeguard - CV Starr 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Lifeguard I - PT 16 19 Cash Carpenter 19 1 0 Most of these lifeguards are students and only average 10 hours per week during the school year and then 19 hours during the summer time Andrew Cudney 1 0
Michael Juntz 1 0
Evan Lotten 1 0
Elena Caranicolas 1 0
Payton Johansen 1 0
Joyce Garcia Blanco 1 0
Luka Brunner 1 0
Elizabeth Keppeler 1 0
Tyler Russell 1 0
Grace Chester 1 0
Colin Miclea 1 0
Olivier Miclea 1 0
Marvin Parrish 1 0
Michael Rice 1 0
Johann Garcia 1 0
Dakoda Thompson 1 0
Oscar Magee 1 0
Meicah Wasco 1 0
Lifeguard II - PT 0 0 0 N/A N/A
Lifeguard III - PT 0 0 0 N/A N/A
Maintenance Supervisor Paul Kelley 1 1 0
Maintenance Worker I - CV Starr 0 0 Wilbert Escobedo 1 1 0 Maintenance Worker II - CV Starr 0 0 Eduardo Moran 1 1 0 Maintenance Worker III - CV Starr 0 0
Recreation Coordinator 1 1 Anna Leach None 1 0 Anna Leach falls under Parks & Rec (not CV Starr). At this time, the division is not fully developed. Hired in May 2026.
Recreation Instructor I 0 0 Victoria Yanez 1 1 0 The position is very seasonal and depends on how many swim classes are filled up. If there is a huge request for swim lesson the employee works. Otherwise, they do not work.
Recreation Instructor II 1 1 Kendra Sells 1 1 0 Same as above. Very seasonal.
Recreation Instructor III 0 0 Theresa Branscomb 1 1 0
Recreation Supervisor 1 1 Kimberly Ramey 1 1 0
Senior Lifeguard 2 1 Caleb Strickland 1 1 0
1 Zachery Quamme 1 1 0 Promoted Zachery Quamme in 2/2026 C.V. Starr Employee Group Total Vacancy Rate 1.8939393939393938E-3 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget Explanation of the Vacancy Rate
The main driver of the 20% vacancy rate is the for the Lifeguard classifications. This classification continues to be a challenge. The recruitment efforts are ongoing and continues to be a top priority. CV Starr is now open on Sundays as the due to the onboarding of lifeguards.
AB 2561 Vacancy Report for Temporary Employees
Temporary Employees Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes Internal notes Assistant Planner -Temp 0 0 Valerie Stump 1 0.25 0 Temporary position created to provide coverage while other staff on personal leave. Incumbent was reclassified to full-time Assistant Planner position in late September 2025.
Construction Project Manager - Temp No 0 None 0 N/A N/A Grants Analyst No 0 Jason Morse 2 0.45800000000000002 0 It is not vacant because it is grant funded. Only filled once grant funds were secured. Position vacated in May 2026. Incumbent pursuing other opportunities.
Jennifer Ponts 1 0.66666666666666663 0 Position vacated in March 2025 when reclassified to full-time Social Services Liaison classification. Position vacated to provide assistance to CRU team due to an Ornelas on leave.
Intern No 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Office Assistant No 0 Jennifer Ponts 0 0 0
Permit Technician - PT Yes 0 None 1 0.75 0.25 Position vacated in March 2026. Not being backfilled. Former incumbent Maria Flynn. Position was created as an accommodation for the employee. Employee resigned 3/27/2026.
Public Experience Liaison Yes 1 Adelaide La Torre 1 8.3000000000000004E-2 0 Incumbent worked out of class as Sr. Administrative Analyst from September 2025 through the end of April 2026.
Seasonal Laborer 0.5 0 John Johnson 2 0.83333333333333337 0.17 Two positions filled. Both incumbents moved into full-time positions. Johnson was reclassified as Maintenance Worker II in January 2026 & Powers as Treatment Plant Operator in Training in December 2025.
Edwin Powers
Seasonal Parking Attendant 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Temporary Employee Group Total Vacancy Rate 6.0000000000000005E-2 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget Explanation of the Vacancy Rate
This employee group consists of a small number of classifications. One vacancy has a huge influence on the vacancy rate. A challenge of recruiting for temporary positions is the lack of benefits and generally are high hourly rate positions. Currently, a Seasonal Laborer positon pay is at $18 per hour. Effective January 1, 2025, minimum wage is $16.50 per hour for all employers. The minimum wage for fast food workers is $20 per hour. The scheduled minimum wage increase for healthcare workers has been delayed. As the minimum wage continues to be increased by legislators, it will continue to exert upward pressure on the City to reevaluate its lower paying classifications. Minimum wage increases could lead to higher prices, thereby increasing the overall costs for businesses, including local agencies.
AB 2561 Vacancy Report for Mid-Management Employee Group Mid-Management Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes Assistant Director - Engineering Division 1 1 Chantell O'Neal 1 1 0 Assistant Finance Director 1 1 None 1 0.33333333333333331 0.66666666666666674 Incumbent requested reclassification to Government Accountant III that was completed in November 2025. At this time, a recruitment for Finance & Admin Director is being conducted.
Broadband Manager 1 1 Rob Buch 1 1 0
C.V. Starr Manager 1 1 Moneque Wooden 1 1 0
City Clerk - CMC Certified 0 1 None 0 0 0
Construction Project Manager 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Economic Development Manager 1 1 Sarah McCormick 1 1 0
Human Resources Manager 1 1 Juli Mortensen 1 1 0
Operations Manager 1 1 Heath Daniels 1 1 0
Police Captain 1 1 Thomas O'Neal 1 1 0
Police Commander 1 1 Jonathan McLaughlin 1 0.83333333333333337 0 Classification established to provide direct oversight to the Patrol Division within the PD. Filled in September 2025.
Senior Government Accountant 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A
Senior Planner 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A Classification is being recruited for in conjunction with the Director of Planning & Housing (AKA CDD Director). Only one slot will be filled at the level best corresponding with the chosen candidate's skills.
Systems Analyst - Lead 0 0 None 0 N/A N/A Incumbent Deb Smith reclassified to IT Director. Senior Planner Systems Analyst Lead
Mid-Management Employee Group Total Vacancy Rate 6.666666666666668E-2 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget
AB 2561 Vacancy Report for Executive Management Employee Group Mid-Management Classifications Budgeted as of 7/1/2025 Headcount as of 7/1/2025 Incumbents Number of Incumbents Filled Percentage Vacancy Rate Notes Assistant City Manager 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A
City Manager 1 1 Isaac Whippy 1 1 0
Director - Broadband 1 0 Sage Statham 1 0.75 0.25 Position filled 9/22/2026.
Director - Finance & Admin Director 0 0 Vacant 0 0 0 This position replaces the Finance Director as the intent is to combine Finance and Administration divisions under a single director. At this time, City Manager is serving as Acting Director, with support from Government Accountant III.
Director - Finance/City Treasurer 0 0 None N/A N/A N/A Director - Information Technology 1 1 Deb Smith 1 1 0
Director - Parks & Recreation 1 0 None 0 0 0 Division is currently being developed. Once fully developed, position will either be filled from within or a recruitment will be conducted.
Director - Planning & Housing (AKA CDD Director) 1 0 Vacant 0 0 1 Recruitment has been conducted, conditional offer extended and awaiting candidate response. City Manager is Acting Director.
Director - Public Works 1 1 John Smith 1 1 0
Interim Police Chief 0 0 None 1 0.16666666666666666 0 Position was created due to resignation of Chief Neil Cervenka who vacated the position on 9/30/2025. City conducted recruitment in late July 2025 and filled with now permanent Chief Eric Swift.
Police Chief 0 0 Eric Swift 1 0.83333333333333337 0.16666666666666663 Chief Cervenka provided a resignation on July 29, 2025, and his last day was September 30, 2025. Interim Chief Eric Swift onboarded on October 1, 2025.
Police Chief - Executive Post 1 1 Neil Cervenka 1 0.25 0 Position not considered vacant as City would only have one Police Chief classification budgeted at any given time.
Executive Management Employee Group Total Vacancy Rate 0.14166666666666666 Approach
Compensation schedule eff. 7/13/2025 used for report that was approved during the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Went through each position to determine the number of incumbents Went through and reviewed the year and provided an approximate amount of the year where the position is filled.
The 7/1/2025 Headcount is pulled from the 2025-2026 Budget Explanation of the Vacancy Rate
The Community Development Director position has been extremely challenging to fill due to a variety of factors, such as pay in comparison to other locations, the City's physical location, and the political environment. In March/April 2026, the City conducted a recruitment in conjunction with WBCP, Inc. to assist with the sourcing. At the time of this report, a conditional offer has been extended, but the candidate has not yet accepted the offer.
FY 2025-2026
City of Fort Bragg AB 2561 Vacancy Rate
Employee Group Vacancy Rate
FBEO 8.0043859649122806E-2
FBPA 0.14444444444444443
Conf/Nbarg 5.6999999999999995E-2
CV Starr 1.8939393939393938E-3
Temporary 6.0000000000000005E-2
Mid-Mgmt 6.666666666666668E-2
Executive 0.14166666666666666
Total Vacancy Rate 7.8816510974405701E-2