To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Probation Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: Christine Williams, (707) 565-2145
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Probation Department Appointment of Retiree Extra Help
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Pursuant to Government Code §7522.56 approve the appointment of Linda Lehmann as a Supervising Accountant Retiree Extra-Help, in order to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of her retirement, with an appointment date as early as October 3, 2023.
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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 Probation Department is requesting the appointment of Linda Lehmann as a Supervising Accountant in a retiree extra-help capacity to provide support to critical Probation client services and to provide project management of a major accounting software replacement during FY 23-24 and beyond (not to exceed 960 hours annually).
Discussion:
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. 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, Supervising Accountant Linda Lehmann, and delegated Probation Department staff have completed the Retiree Extra-Help Compliance Form certifying the appropriateness of the appointment.
Linda Lehmann, Supervising Accountant, retired on July 24, 2023. Ms. Lehmann worked for the County of Sonoma, primarily in the Probation Department since October 21, 1996. In her most recent capacity Ms. Lehmann had management responsibility for the Probation Accounting Unit, overseeing a team of seven full-time staff in carrying out all accounting functions for the Department including accounts payable, revenue receivables for multiple state and federal grants and enterprise funding streams, asset management and other state and federal reporting. Most critically, Ms. Lehmann oversaw the management of adult and juvenile client accounts, tracking the collection and disbursement of court-ordered fines, fees and victim restitutions amounting to approximately $1.3 million in FY 22-23. The software application used to manage these accounts has reached its useful life and will be replaced in calendar year 2023. Ms. Lehmann’s experience and expertise with court revenue will be integral to a successful implementation and maintaining victim and client services during the transition. This position has been in recruitment for several months, and as of this writing a successful candidate has not been appointed. Additionally, this position requires an extensive background investigation prior to hire so the use of agency extra help would not be appropriate.
The need for this supplemental resource within Probation is immediate and expected to continue through FY 23-24.
The Probation Department has consulted with the Human Resources Department which is supportive of the recommended action.
In accordance with Government Code section 7522.56, the Probation Department is asking the Board to certify as follows:
• Linda Lehmann’s appointment to Supervising Accountant retiree extra-help, is necessary to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of her retirement date;
• Linda Lehmann did not accept retirement incentives upon her retirement; and
• Linda Lehmann’s appointment shall not exceed 960 hours per year.
• Per Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)(36), Linda Lehmann meets the requirement of being of normal retirement age.
If the Board of Supervisors makes the foregoing certifications, Linda Lehmann will be hired as of October 3, 2023, as a Supervising Accountant.
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 |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$23,160 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$23,160 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
$23,160 |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$23,160 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Costs associated with this request will be absorbed within existing budget appropriations within the Probation Administration budget (27010102). In FY 23-24 costs are estimated at a maximum of 400 hours at the current hourly rate of $57.90/hour. No additional appropriations are requested associated with Ms. Lehmann’s appointment.
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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:
N/A
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A