City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 2 April 28, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 4.1
DATE: April 28, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Conduct a Public Hearing and Accept the City of Union City Staff Report and Presentation Adhering to AB 2561 Requirements for Reporting on Vacancy Rates and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AB 2561 requires public agencies, including Union City, to hold at least one (1) public hearing per fiscal year to discuss vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. This report discusses the City’s legal obligations under the new law, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. This report adheres to the measures intended to ensure compliance with such legal obligations.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This program supports Goal B, Governance and Organization Effectiveness, of the strategic plan by aligning critical city services with current staffing levels.
BACKGROUND
AB 2561 was introduced to address job vacancies in local government, which adversely affect the delivery of public services and employee workload. Among other requirements, the bill mandates that public agencies present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before the agency’s governing body at least once per fiscal year. The bill was enacted into law and is codified at Government Code § 3502.3. The new law became effective January 1, 2025.
DISCUSSION
AB 2561 sets forth requirements for the information the City will provide regarding vacancies at the City, the City’s recruitment and retention efforts, and the identification of changes to City policies, procedures, and recruitment activities. If the vacancy rate in any bargaining unit is at least 20% of the total number of authorized full-time positions in that unit, AB 2561 requires the City to provide additional information upon the employee organization representing that unit's request.
Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 2 April 28, 2026 4
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AB 2561 also establishes the legal entitlement of recognized employee organizations to make presentations at the public hearing.
The purpose of the AB 2561 is to comply with applicable law and to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community needs regarding the City’s staffing practices.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with conducting the public hearing required under Government Code § 3502.3. However, addressing recruitment and retention issues may involve future budget and bargaining considerations, which will be presented to the City Council as necessary.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept this presentation for this public hearing, during which the City reports on workforce vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts, and the City’s recognized employee organizations will be provided an opportunity to present on these subjects.
Prepared by: Jason Castleberry, Human Resources Director Submitted by: Jason Castleberry, Human Resources Director Attachments
1. PowerPoint Presentation on AB 2561