ITEM 5.2
CITY 13, 202E SCOUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: PUBLIC I HEARING (PUBLISHED NOTICE) TO
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE
VACANCIES AND RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561
(GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to Consider the Following:
2. Adopt Resolution Accepting the Status of City
Lathrop Employee
Recruitment and Retention Efforts as Required
by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code
Section 3502.3)
SUMMARY:
In accordance with Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) codified as California Government Code 3502.3 which requires public employers to present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts at a public hearing at least once per fiscal year, prior to the adoption of the budget. This bill also entitles the recognized employee organizations to be present at the hearing. Representatives for the recognized employee organizations, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1021, Lathrop Mid-Manager's and Confidential Employee's Association (LMCEA) and Lathrop Police Officer's Association (LPOA) were notified of tonight's Public Hearing. If they elect to, a representative for bargaining units have the right to make a presentation during the Public Hearing. Additionally, if the number of vacancies within a single employee organization meets or exceeds 20% of the total number of authorized full- time positions, the City, upon request of the recognized employee organization, is required to include additional information about the vacancies during the public hearing.
This presentation is for informational purposes only regarding the status of the City's vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts. Council may identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process.
BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill 2561 added section 3502.3 to the Government Code. This section mandates the following:
1. Public Agencies shall present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before the governing board at least once per fiscal year.
2. If the governing board will be adopting an annual or multi-year budget during the fiscal year, the presentation shall be made prior to the adoption of the final budget.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PAGE 2
JULY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
3. During the hearing, the public agency shall identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process.
4. The recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit shall be entitled to make a presentation at the public hearing at which the public agency presents the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts for positions within that bargaining unit.
Additionally, if the number of job vacancies within a single employee organization meets or exceeds 20 percent of the total number of authorized full-time positions, the City is required to notify the appropriate bargaining unit and, upon request, clude additional information during the public hearing. The vacancy rate does no xceed 20% for any of the bargaining units. We are currently at an overall vacanc rate of 5.59% for all budgeted positions.
Vacancies Rates
The position information and vacancy rates for each of the recognized employee organizations as of June 30, 2026 are as follows:
Budgeted Active Total Vacancy
FTE FTE Vacancies Rate
Unrepresented 18 17 1 5.56
Part-Time 9.8 7.66 2.14 21.84
SEIU 81 77 4 4.94%
LMCEA 45 41 4 8.89%
LPOA 41 40 1 2.44%
TOTAL 194.80 182.66 12.14 6.23%
Position Control Approved Over-Hire
LPOA - Over-Hire 2 IN/A
Changes to Policies and Procedures
There are no changes being recommended to policies or procedures which would have an impact on recruitment and retention efforts at this time for any of the recognized employee organizations.
Recruitment and Retention Efforts
All City positions are posted on the City website and Governmentjobs.com. The City has been utilizing Governmentjobs.com as a platform to post recruitments and accept applications for all positions since 2019. Additionally, the City posts open positions on industry specific job boards such as American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, Parks and Recreation Association and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), as appropriate to the recruitment.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PAGE 3
JULY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
Currently, the City contracts with CaPERS to offer medical plans to our employees and retirees. Vision and dental plans are offered through Principal Insurance.
Currently, the City provides a base contribution of $2,187/month towards medical, dental and vision premiums. This amount is determined by the negotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each of the three bargaining units.
Recruitment and Retention Incentives
Lathrop Mid-Managers and Confidential Employees Association and Service Employees International Union, Local 1021
In June 2026, the City Council approved the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding with Lathrop Mid-Managers and Confidential Employees Association and Service Employees International Union, Local 1021. Benefits negotiated are used as recruitment and retention incentives and include:
COLA 4% increase effective the first full pay period in July 2026 and July 2027
Health Insurance City contribution towards medical, dental and vision for Contributions 2026 is $2,187. Additional contributions towards health insurance includes tiered dependent coverage
contributions:
• Employee plus one: $200/month
• Employee plus Family: $300/month
Post Retirement Post-retirement medical options based on vesting scale Medical
Stand-by Pay Increased to $5.00/hour
Bilingual Pay $60/month
Vacation Buy-Back Year-end vacation cash out options for both exempt and non-exempt employees
Tuition Up to $3,000 per calendar year
Reimbursement
Boot Allowance Annual allowance up to $350 for employees required to wear protective footwear
Cafeteria Benefit Employee's may elect to use up to 35% of the City's health plan contribution to the Cafeteria Benefits Plan as a cash payment, 457 plan contribution or payment
towards a dependent day care plan
Sick Leave the ability to convert up to 40 hours of sick leave to Conversion vacation per calendar year
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PAGE 4
JULY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
Lathrop Police Officers Association:
Negotiations are still in progress with the Lathrop Police Officers Association. Existing benefits negotiated through the current MOU which are being used for recruitment and retention incentives include:
Health Insurance City contribution towards medical, dental and vision for Contributions 2026 is $2,187
Post Retirement Post-retirement medical options based on vesting scale Medical
Stand-by Pay $3.00/hour
Bilingual Pay pay red employees shall receive 2,5% of their regular Vacation Buy-Back Year end vacation cash out option
Tuition Up to $3,000 per calendar year
Reimbursement
Uniform Allowance $1,200 Annually
Cafeteria Benefit Employee's may elect to use up to 35% of the City's health plan contribution to the Cafeteria Benefits Plan as a cash payment, 457 plan contribution or payment
towards a dependent day care plan
Sick Leave The ability to convert up to 40 hours of sick leave to Conversion vacation per calendar year
Special Assignment Employees assigned to a specialized identified in the Pay MOU shall receive an additional 5% of their regular pay rate
Education Incentive
Shift Differential
additional five percent (5%) of their base hourly rate for each hour actually worked
Cafeteria Benefit Employee's may elect to use up to 35% of the City's lealth plan contribution to the Cafeteria Benefits Plan a 1 cash payment, 457 plan contribution or paymen
towards a dependent day care plan
Deferred Classic CaPERS members receive a $3,000 annual Compensation contribution to their Deferred Compensation plan Contribution
Hiring Bonus $2,500 hiring bonus upon successful completion of the Field Training period
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PAGE 5
JULY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
Additionally, Resolution 24-5469 was approved by the City Council on February 12, 2024 and provides a forgivable loan of $10,000 to encourage public safety personnel to live within the City. The funds are to be used for a down-payment on a home in the City and the loan is forgiven at rate of 10% each year if staff retains their primary residence in Lathrop and remains a full-time employee of the City.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
Annual reporting is a requirement of Government Code Section 3502.3. This report is being provided to meet this requirement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time to prepare this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution to Accept the Status of the City of Lathrop Employee Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3)
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PAGE G
JULY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CONSIDER STATUS OF CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
APPROVALS:
7/1/2024
Juliana Burns Date
Director of Human Resources
717/2076
Thomas Hedegard Date
Deputy City Manager
Sortants
11 202
Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
7.8.26 Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 26-_
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO АССЕРТ
THE STATUS OF THE CITY OF LATHROP EMPLOYEE VACANCIES AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3)
WHEREAS, in September 2024, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 which requires public employers to present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts at a public hearing at least once per fiscal year; and WHEREAS, during the hearing, the public agency shall identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process; and
WHEREAS, AB 2561 requires that the recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit shall be entitled to make a presentation at the public hearing at which the public agency presents the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts for positions within that bargaining unit; and
WHEREAS, if the number of job vacancies within a single employee organization meets or exceeds 20 percent of the total number of authorized full-time positions, the City is required to notity the appropriate bargaining unit and, upon request, include additional information during the public hearing; and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing notice was published with the Manteca Bulletin on July 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, representatives of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1021, Lathrop Mid-Manager's and Confidential Employee's Association (LMCEA) and Lathrop Police Officer's Association (LPOA) were notified of the Public Hearing; and WHEREAS, the vacancy rate does not meet or exceed 20% for any of the bargaining units; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified recruitment and retention efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Lathrop does hereby accept the status of the City of Lathrop employee vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts as required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3)
Resolution No. 26-
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 13th day of July 2026, by the following vote of the City Council, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Paul Akinjo, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Teresa Vargas, City Clerk Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney Resolution No. 26-