To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office, Human Resources Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: M. Christina Rivera, 707-565-2048, Janell Crane, 707-565-2885
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Department Head Personal Services Agreement, Appointing a County Equity Officer
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the County Executive to execute a Personal Services Agreement with Melissa Valle as the County Equity Officer, effective September 24, 2024, through September 24, 2027, at the “F” step in the position’s salary range and with other County benefits in accordance with Salary Resolution 95-0926.
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Executive Summary:
The salary and benefits provided to County department and agency heads must be considered by the Board of Supervisors/Directors at a regularly scheduled Board meeting. Further, an oral summary of the recommended action to be taken on the salary and benefits must be presented at the meeting where the final Board action is taken. (California Government code §54953, 54956).
This action will authorize the Personal Services Agreement between Melissa Valle and the County of Sonoma’s County Executive, M. Christina Rivera for a three-year term from September 24, 2024, through September 24, 2027, at the “F” step of the position’s salary range and eligibility for other County benefits in accordance with Salary Resolution 95-0926.
Discussion:
The Board of Supervisors affirmed a new strategic priority of Racial Equity and Social Justice on July 7, 2020. The Office of Equity was established on August 18, 2020, to address social and racial equity issues and to ensure County policies and programs do not perpetuate negative outcomes for Sonoma County communities of color.
Reporting to the County Executive, the County Equity Officer plans, organizes, manages, and directs the development and implementation of equity programs for the County of Sonoma; plans, leads, and promotes diversity, equity, and belonging strategies and activities including policy analysis and development; data analysis; interdepartmental coordination, and community collaboration.
Additionally, the County Equity Officer provides leadership support to County departments, agencies, and special districts to ensure the development and implementation of effective strategies to achieve equity for Sonoma County residents.
In February 2022, your Board created an Equity Ad Hoc with Supervisors Hopkins and Gore to guide the Office of Equity’s work plan and to provide input and finalize recommendations on the department’s Vision, Mission and Values. The Ad Hoc met for the first time in June 2022, and over four meetings, the Ad Hoc provided input on the development of Office’s Vision, Mission and Values, as well as the limited outreach and engagement opportunities.
As a result, on 12/6/2022 the Board approved the mission, “to work in authentic and collaborative partnerships within County government; with Black, Indigenous, and communities of color; and with community members who are disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities to:
• Recognize and disrupt systemic harm,
• Redesign structures and direct resources towards healing, liberation, and belonging,
• Build transparency and accountability in County institutions, policies, and culture.”
Following a leadership transition, County Executive Rivera appointed Melissa Valle as the Interim County Equity Officer in April 2024. During her interim role, Ms. Valle has managed the department, facilitating Board approval on the adoption of the County’s Racial Equity Action Plan, Language Access Policy, and Boards and Commissions Plan.
Ms. Valle is a seasoned professional, who has been working in the Office of Equity since its inception in 2020. She initially worked as County Equity Program Manager before being appointed as interim County Equity Officer earlier this year. Ms. Valle’s prior experience includes working as a journalist and reporter for several media organizations, including Telemundo 48 - NBC Bay Area, before joining the County Administrator’s Office in 2018 to perform work focused on the coordination of public information, communications, and engagement.
During her time at the County Administrator’s Office, Ms. Valle led the County’s bilingual communication and media efforts during the Kincade Fire, which resulted in evacuation orders and warnings impacting approximately 190,000 residents; collaborated with Meta on the launch of Facebook’s Local Alert program which resulted in securing a $25,000 donation for the Sonoma County residents most impacted by the Spring 2019 floods; and led local Census 2020 outreach efforts in partnership with non-profit, state, and federal partners. Ms. Valle has bachelor’s Degrees in both Journalism and Sociology from New York University.
This recommended action will place Ms. Valle’s annual salary at the “F” step of the County Equity Officer salary range, $197,692, and maintain her eligibility for benefits in accordance with the County’s Salary Resolution 95-0926, as amended. The recommended agreement includes a six-month performance review.
The Office of Equity has a fiscal year budget of approximately $3.5 million and 12 full-time equivalent employees.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
August 18, 2020 (item 8; File Number 2020-0825) - Establishment of the Office of Equity and approval of the new job classification of County Equity Officer.
March 26, 2024 (item 54; File Number 2024-0240) - Revision of the job classification of County Equity Officer, following the restructured County Executive duties and responsibilities.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Ongoing annualized salary and benefit costs associated with existing positions has been incorporated into the department’s budget. These actions do not increase any budget appropriations.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Personal Services Agreement - County Equity Officer
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.