Item No. 24
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 12, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phil White, Director of Finance &
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Staffing Vacancies to Comply with Assembly Bill 2561 RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council hold a public hearing in accordance with the requirements of Assembly Bill 2561.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
This item is being presented in response to Assembly Billy 2561 (AB 2561), signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024, in response to new transparency requirements related to staffing vacancies. AB 2561 mandates that public agencies hold at least one public hearing each fiscal year before the adoption of their budgets to report on staff vacancy levels, evaluate hiring and retention efforts, and allow for participation by recognized bargaining groups. This report includes workforce data for the 2024 calendar year, along with the most current staffing status as of May 5, 2025.
The legislative intent of AB 2561 declares the following:
1. Job vacancies in local government are widespread and a significant problem for the public sector affecting occupations across wage levels and education requirements.
2. 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 exacerbates staffing challenges.
3. 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.
To mitigate these impacts, the law requires agencies to:
1. Report annually on vacancies, recruitment activity, and retention strategies;
2. Identify any policies or practices that may hinder hiring or retention;
3. Provide recognized bargaining groups an opportunity to present during the public hearing; and
4. If any bargaining group vacancy rate reached or exceeds 20% of authorized positions, provide additional data upon request, including applicant volume, hiring timelines, and efforts to improve compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Failure to comply with AB 2561 may result in an unfair practice charge. Agencies are obligated to present vacancy information annually or, under certain circumstances at the employee organization's request. Employee organizations are allowed to present to the City Council when the vacancy report is presented.
As of May 5, 2025, the City has 75 full-time equivalent (FTE) authorized positions of which 45 are represented by the Yucaipa City Employees Association (YCEA) bargaining group. The City has 8 vacancies of which 4 are represented by YCEA. Citywide, 5 of the vacancies are unfunded of which 2 are represented by YCEA.
The City is committed to maintaining a skilled and resilient workforce and to complying with the requirements of AB 2561. This report and public hearing fulfill the requirements of AB 2561 and confirm that all represented bargaining units are below the 20% vacancy threshold. The City will continue to monitor staffing trends, address recruitment challenges, and invest in workforce development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommendation does not result in a fiscal impact
Approved by• �z