To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Resources and Department of Emergency Management
Staff Name and Phone Number: Adriana Call, 707-565-3565
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma, recognizing the Public Service/Disaster Service Workers who work for the County of Sonoma. (Countywide)
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Executive Summary:
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is celebrated annually during the first week of May. This year for the first time since May 9, 2019, the County of Sonoma will celebrate with a lunch for all employees on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 to honor the employees for their Public Service and Disaster Service work for the past several years. Human Resources and the Department of Emergency Management look forward to the Board’s participation at this annual event honoring the County’s approximately 4,000 employees.
Discussion:
Public Service Recognition Week is a national program sponsored by the Public Employee Roundtable, a non-partisan coalition of government organizations representing civil servants and retirees from all levels throughout the country. Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated annually during the first week of May. This year, the dates are May 2 to May 6, 2022. This national recognition week encourages government at all levels to support government employees and careers, educate the public about the value of public servants and the services they provide, recognize excellence in public service, and encourage the spirit of public service.
In line with our strategic pillars for organizational excellence, employees who are engaged and have job satisfaction are inspired to provide excellent service. Taking the time to recognize the efforts of the County’s workforce provides a platform for employee appreciation and continued commitment to our dedicated workforce. This year, staff plans to hold an event to honor employees later in the month.
The County of Sonoma began observing Public Service Recognition Week in 1997, by hosting an onsite recognition event. Traditionally, County employees are encouraged to attend a lunchtime event with their co-workers, during which they receive recognition from the Board of Supervisors and are served their meal by Department Heads and members of the Board. The Public Service Recognition Week lunch will be held at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building parking lot on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The extended hours will allow for more flexibility in attendance.
The County Administrator’s Office will provide funding so that all employees can attend at no charge. Department Heads are encouraged to invite all staff members to attend this luncheon.
It is especially important to recognize our employees’ recent contributions, sacrifices, and time given to help our community considering the extraordinary challenges of the past few years posed by a pandemic, floods, and major wildfires. County employees jumped into action, finding ways to ensure that all of the essential services provided to the public continued during a global shut-down, serving as first responders, and first line staffing at the emergency COVID-19 testing sites, vaccination clinics, keeping the public informed, emergency operation centers, point of entry sites, shelters, local assistance centers, and disaster sites. All of this while striving to maintain the multitude of services that are provided to the public on a daily basis.
We recognize the daily efforts of all staff and the positive impact to the community and organizations derived from employee teamwork. County of Sonoma employees have accomplished much that is worthy of recognition. Employees have individually committed to advance the goals and priorities of the Board to create a safe, healthy and caring community; promote economic and environmental stewardship; invest in the future; and promote civic services and engagement.
The County of Sonoma has a history of providing excellent and responsible public service. This success does not happen without each and every one of our family of County employees doing their part toward achieving the common goal. The path is a constant effort, which involves everyone at all levels being actively engaged, committed to public service, and collaborating on the efforts, which improve the lives of our citizens and visitors. Public Service Recognition Week is one way to recognize the value of County employees’ service to the community.
At past recognition events, employees have enjoyed tamales, Hawaiian plates, burritos, pasta, hamburgers and hotdogs. At this year’s Public Service Recognition Week lunch, employees will enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Employees will visit booths of interest and have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. In addition, many County departments will hold department-wide office recognition events for their staff during this week.
Human Resources recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming the week of May 2 to May 6, 2022 as Public Service/Disaster Service Worker Recognition Week in Sonoma County recognizing all the contributions of the County’s more than 4,000 employees.
Prior Board Actions:
The Board has approved a similar resolution in all prior years since Public Service Recognition Week was first recognized in Sonoma County in 1997.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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