To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Victoria Gilles (707) 565-5782, Paula Glodowski Valla (707) 565-4396
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Human Services Department Appointment of Retiree Extra Help
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Pursuant to Government Code §7522.56 approve the appointment of Karen Taylor, as a Public Assistance Systems Specialist Retiree Extra-Help, in order to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of their retirement, with an appointment date as early as August 1, 2024.
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Executive Summary:
Pursuant to the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), Government Code §7522.56, an exception can be made to reappoint a retiree as extra-help provided the governing body certifies that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position, in those circumstances where 180 days from the date of retirement has not yet passed. This approval must be in a noticed public meeting and not on a consent calendar.
The Human Services Department is requesting the appointment of Karen Taylor as a Public Assistance Systems Specialist in a retiree extra-help capacity to provide assistance during the period of August 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 (approximately 8 months) in the Human Services Department Statewide Automated Welfare System management team for data and reporting assistance.
Discussion:
Pursuant to the California Public Employee’s Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), Government Code §7522.56, an exception can be made to reappoint a retiree as extra-help provided the governing body certifies that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position, in those circumstances where 180 days from the date of retirement have not yet passed. This approval must be in a noticed public meeting and not on a consent calendar. PEPRA includes other requirements in order for a retiree to be eligible for an Extra-Help appointment, such as not having accepted a retirement incentive and not having accepted unemployment arising out of prior public appointment. The individual and delegated department staff have completed the Retiree Extra-Help Compliance Form certifying the appropriateness of the appointment.
Karen Taylor, Public Assistance Systems Specialist (PASS), retired on April 2, 2024. Ms. Taylor worked for the County for 24 years, including the last 15 years in the Human Services Department (HSD) Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS) team. This unit provides system support, administration, security and reporting for public assistance systems in HSD that serve over 150,000 community residents. Recently the State of California transitioned to a new SAWS system and new accompanying reporting tool.
Ms. Taylor’s vacated PASS position has not been filled and she will work 0.5 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) extra help in that position. It is critical to have Ms. Taylor’s assistance to ensure that the data and report requirements of the department are met. Ms. Taylor will respond to ad hoc data report requests from HSD division and section leadership and will train the remaining SAWS management team on the new reporting tool to build their self-sufficiency for the future. The department anticipates 520 hours of work during the duration of the extra-help assignment.
The Human Services Department has consulted with the Human Resources Department which is supportive of the recommended action.
In accordance with Government Code section 7522.56, HSD is asking the Board to certify as follows:
• Karen Taylor’s appointment to a Public Assistance Systems Specialist is necessary to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of their retirement date;
• Ms. Taylor did not accept retirement incentives upon their retirement; and
• Ms. Taylor’s appointment shall not exceed 960 hours per year.
• Per Internal Revenue Code section 401(a) (36), Ms. Taylor meets the requirement of being of normal retirement age.
If the Board of Supervisors makes the foregoing certifications, Ms. Taylor will be hired as of August 1, 2024, as a Public Assistance Systems Specialist.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$34,200 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$34,200 |
$0 |
$0 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$34,200 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$34,200 |
$0 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The cost for an extra-help Public Assistance Systems Specialist to work 520 hours in Fiscal Year 2024-25 is $34,200 at the I-Step.
This position is already budgeted and requires no additional appropriations.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
This is a retiree extra-help appointment; no permanent allocations are being added or changed.
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None