REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Shannon Buckley, Assistant City Manager
Date:June 10, 2025
Subject:Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3 Regarding Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts
Recommendation
Receive and file the informational report on City of Lake Elsinore vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3.
Background
Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3, effective January 1, 2025, requires the City of Lake Elsinore to hold at least one public hearing per fiscal year to discuss vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts. This new legislation was enacted to address the growing concern of high vacancy rates in local public agencies across California. This public hearing ensures compliance with the new law and will continue each fiscal year before the adoption of the final budget.
Discussion
To comply with this legislation, the City must provide an annual informational report on vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts.
The City has invited the LIUNA Local 777 (LIUNA) bargaining unit to make presentations during the public hearing, as allowed under GC 3502.3(b), although their participation remains optional.
If the City has a vacancy rate of 20 percent or higher for authorized full-time positions in any single bargaining unit, additional reporting is required under Government Code 3502.3(c), including vacancy numbers, applicant statistics, hiring process timelines, and opportunities for improvement. As of May 21, 2025, the City's bargaining unit maintains healthy staffing levels, with vacancy rates not exceeding 20 percent.
AB 2561 Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention
Vacancies (May 2025):
•UNION: 10% (7 of 73 FTE positions)
•Non-represented: 0% (0 of 43 FTE positions)
•City Overall: 6% (7 of 116 FTE positions)
Throughout fiscal year 2023-2024, the City maintained an average vacancy rate of 8% across the entire organization. By employee group, the average vacancy rates were:
•UNION: 6% (compared to 9% in May 2025)
•Non-represented: 10% (compared to 0% in May 2025)
This rate is calculated monthly by dividing the number of vacant positions by the total number of authorized positions.
While Personnel Rules establish baseline employment conditions, represented employees in LIUNA are governed by the respective Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), which supersede or modify the Personnel Rules.
Recruitment
The City of Lake Elsinore employs a merit-based recruitment process that strikes a balance between thoroughness and efficiency. The process includes strategic job posting through multiple channels (examples provided in Attachment B) and the following steps:
•Two-tier application screening to verify qualifications and identify top candidates •Structured panel interviews, including subject matter experts, with standardized evaluation criteria
•Final interviews with hiring managers to assess departmental fit and work style compatibility
•Comprehensive background and reference checks before job offers •12-month probationary period for new hires
All represented positions transition from at-will to regular status, with appropriate due process protections, after the successful completion of probation.
Retention Efforts
The City values its employees and continues to focus on retention through a multifaceted approach that creates an environment encouraging longevity. The current average tenure at the City of Lake Elsinore is 13 years, and the longest-serving employee has been with the City for
23.75 years. The City's strategy includes work-life balance with 9/80 schedules, competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and meaningful recognition practices. A complete listing of the City's retention efforts is provided in Attachment C, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining a workplace where employees feel valued and build long-term careers.
AB 2561 Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention
Fiscal Impact
The proposed public hearing does not impose direct financial obligations on the City of Lake Elsinore.
Attachments
Attachment 1- City Authorized Schedule
Attachment 2 - Recruitment Channel Examples
Attachment 3 - Retention Efforts
City Manager's Office