Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 10A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Ashley Ray, Human Resources Analyst
PREPARED BY: Ashley Ray, Human Resources Analyst
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file presentation at Public Hearing to satisfy requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 on Town of Yountville’s workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
AB 2561 was introduced to address the issue of job vacancies in local government, which adversely affects the delivery of public services and employee workload. AB 2561 requires public agencies to hold at least one (1) public hearing per fiscal year to discuss vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts and entitles recognized employee organizations to present at the hearing.
In passing AB 2561, the legislature determined that:
• Job vacancies in local government are a widespread and significant problem for the public sector; • High job vacancies impact public service delivery and the workers who are forced to handle heavier workloads, with understaffing leading to burnout and increased turnover that further exacerbate staffing challenges; and
• There is a statewide interest in ensuring that public agency operations are appropriately staffed, and that high vacancy rates do not undermine public employee labor relations.
This presentation must occur annually at a Town Council Meeting. This meeting must occur prior to the annual budget being approved.
ANALYSIS
Vacancies
In calendar year 2025, the Town of Yountville had thirty-six (36) budgeted/authorized full-time positions:
• 1 Town Manager
• 5 Department Heads
• 4 Administrative Services Staff
• 3 Communications/Town Clerk Staff
• 5 Parks and Recreation Staff
• 3 Planning and Building Staff
• 15 Public Works Staff
In calendar year 2025, the Yountville Employee Association (YEA) was comprised of seventeen (17) of the budgeted/authorized full-time positions:
• Administrative Assistants (2)
• Accounting Technician
• Maintenance Workers (4)
• Lead Maintenance Workers (2)
• Recreation Coordinators (3)
• Utility Operators (5)
In calendar year 2025, the Mid-Management and Professionals Unit (MMP) was comprised of ten (10) of the budgeted/authorized full-time positions:
• Engineering Technician
• Financial Analyst
• Human Resources Analyst
• Information Systems Administrator
• Management Analyst (3)
• Public Works Manager
• Recreation Supervisor
• Utility Operations Manager
The remaining nine (9) full-time positions are budgeted for at-will executive management:
• Town Manager
• Administrative Services Director
• Communications Director/Town Clerk
o Deputy Director of Marketing and Economic Development • Parks and Recreation Director
• Planning and Building Director
o Deputy Planning and Building Director
• Public Works Director
o Deputy Public Works Director
As of December 2025, the Town of Yountville had one (1) vacant budgeted/authorized full-time position:
• Deputy Planning and Building Director (At-Will)
The only position that remains unfilled into 2026 is the Deputy Planning and Building Director role that is at-will and not part of a bargaining unit.
Recruitment Efforts
In 2024, and continuing into 2025, Human Resources (HR) prioritized the strategic modernization of HR services to better support workforce sustainability and organizational effectiveness. Key initiatives included streamlining internal processes, expanding digital tools to improve accessibility and efficiency, and partnering closely with departments to align recruitment efforts with evolving operational needs and critical skill requirements.
In 2026, Human Resources will build upon these efforts by strengthening recruitment through participation in career fairs, expanding professional networking and peer collaboration, and proactively developing a bench of qualified candidates. These efforts are intended to reduce time-to-fill for critical vacancies, enhance recruitment outcomes, and support long-term workforce stability.
Retention Efforts
The Town of Yountville offers competitive pay and benefits, a full employee assistance program, annual COLA increases, remote work options for many positions, generous PTO benefits, opportunity for annual merit increases based on performance, recognition of workplace accomplishments and milestones like work anniversaries and promotions, and we provide training and development opportunities to staff at all levels.
The full presentation is included as an attachment.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3).
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? N/A
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Mandatory
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Yes
ATTACHMENTS
1. AB 2561 Presentation on the Status of Town of Yountville Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Calendar Year 2025