Agenda Item Wording:
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Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts - Per a State of California requirement, hold a Public Hearing on vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts for the City of Visalia.
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Deadline for Action: 7/21/2025
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Amy Powell, Acting Human Resources Manager Amy.Powell@Visalia.city 559-713-4417; Shonna Oneal, Administrative Services Director Shonna.Oneal@visalia.city 559-713-4053
Department Recommendation:
Conduct a public hearing on position vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts as mandated by California Government Code 3502.3
Background Discussion:
Summary: Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 of 2024 requires public agencies to hold a public hearing to address the status of job vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts prior to the adoption of the agency’s annual budget. The City adopted the budget for FY 25-26 in the spring of 2024, prior to this legislation being adopted, so there was no opportunity to hold the public hearing prior to the adoption of the budget. In future years, it will be held before the budget as applicable and/or held annually.
The legislature’s intent of AB 2561 is to address the issue of job vacancies in local government, which can adversely impact the delivery of public service, may lead to heavier employee workloads, and may also lead to increased employee turnover.
Pursuant to Government Code § 3502.3, the City is required to do the following:
1. Public Hearing: At least once each fiscal year, at a public hearing before the governing body, the City shall present information regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts and identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process.
2. Employee Organization Participation: Allow the recognized employee organization for each bargaining unit within the City to make presentations during the public hearing concerning vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. There are five represented bargaining units at the City and all have been notified of the public hearing and advised of their right to address the Council on the matter.
3. Additional Reporting for High Vacancy Rates: If vacancies within a single bargaining unit meet or exceed 20 percent of authorized full-time positions in that bargaining unit, the City must provide additional information during the public hearing, including the following: (1) the total number of vacancies; (2) the number of applicants; (3) the average time to fill positions; and (4) opportunities to improve compensation and working conditions for employees in the bargaining unit.
The following reflects the City’s represented and unrepresented bargaining units’ vacancy rates as of June 6, 2025:
|
BARGAINING UNIT |
BUDGETED |
VACANCIES |
VACANCY RATE |
|
Police Managers & Supervisors Association (Group A) |
26 |
1 |
4% |
|
Visalia Police Officers Association (Group B) |
139 |
4 |
3% |
|
Miscellaneous Supervisors & Managers (Group E) |
111 |
12 |
11% |
|
Visalia Firefighters Association (Group G) |
76 |
5 |
7% |
|
Northern California Carpenters Regional Council (Group M) |
335 |
20 |
6% |
|
Unrepresented Confidential |
19 |
1 |
5% |
|
Unrepresented Department Heads |
10 |
1 |
10% |
|
Total |
716 |
44 |
6% |
No vacancy rates within any of the City’s five bargaining units meet or exceed 20 percent of authorized full-time positions in that bargaining unit.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with conducting this public hearing and receiving this report.
Prior Council Action: n/a
Alternatives: n/a
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts report as required by Assembly Bill 2561.
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Environmental Assessment Status: n/a
CEQA Review: n/a
Attachments: Power Point presentation