To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Department of Health Services Appointment of Retiree Extra Help
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Pursuant to Government Code Section 7522.56, approve the appointment of Lisa Moran as a Staff Psychiatrist Retiree Extra-Help in order to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of her retirement, with an appointment date as early as August 22, 2023.
B) Pursuant to Government Code Section 7522.56, approve the appointment of Waheed Bhatti as a Systems Software Analyst Retiree Extra-Help in order to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of his retirement, with an appointment date as early as August 22, 2023.
end
Executive Summary:
Pursuant to the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (Government Code § 7522.56), the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (hereinafter, “DHS” or “the Department) is recommending an exception be made - following precedence - to appoint a retiree as extra-help provided that the governing body certifies that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position for a limited duration 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. DHS is requesting the appointment of Lisa Moran as an extra-help Staff Psychiatrist and Waheed Bhatti as an extra-help Systems Software Analyst.
These appointments are being requested to fill critically needed positions within 180 days of the retirement dates of the individuals filling the positions and will have an appointment date as early as August 22, 2023. In a retiree extra-help capacity to provide assistance during the summer and fall of 2023 for Dr. Moran to provide psychiatric-prescription coverage at the CSU and for Mr. Bhatti to provide software expertise on the Electronic Health Record (E.H.R.) system in the Behavioral Health Division.
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 and delegated department staff have completed the Retiree Extra-Help Compliance Form certifying the appropriateness of the appointment.
Staff Psychiatrist Retiree Extra-Help
Lisa Moran retired from her position as a Staff Psychiatrist with DHS on March 15, 2023. Ms. Moran worked within the Behavioral Health Division for approximately eight years as a Staff Psychiatrist with Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). In this role, she prescribed and administered medication, led team consultations regarding treatment and disposition, ordered seclusion and restraints, and released involuntary holds to support adult clients with serious mental illness. This role is critical in that clients require this level of oversight, without which they are likely to decompensate and require crisis services and potential hospitalization. The DHS Behavioral Health Division has not been able to recruit for these positions due to the absence of competitive salaries. DHS has faced clinician staffing challenges for several years, particularly staffing for the unique environment of the CSU, resulting in delays and sometimes reductions of availability to serve clients, thereby causing a back-up of behavioral health clients in the Sonoma County hospital emergency departments. It is a high priority to provide these services and being able to retain someone as an extra help employee who is experienced with both the outpatient and the CSU roles is critical.
Systems Software Analyst Retiree Extra-Help
Waheed Bhatti retired from his position as a Systems Software Analyst with DHS on June 12, 2023. Mr. Bhatti worked as a Systems Software Analyst for DHS for approximately ten years. In his role, he was integral to planning and maintaining systems software, databases, and file management software. This work required him to maintain HIPAA compliance and other state and federal requirements for data management. He frequently would analyze, develop, and troubleshoot software necessary for managing sensitive information. Recently the State of California implemented a new Employee Health Record (EHR) system. DHS has a significant need to maintain systems oversight during the transition from the previous system to the new EHR. In fiscal year 2023-2024, the State launched a new CalAIM program expanding equitable access to affordable, integrated, and high quality medical, dental, mental health, substance use treatment services, and long-term care. This requires reprogramming of many specialized internal systems that track those services. The State also implemented payment reform at the beginning of fiscal year 2023-2024, which requires additional systems oversight. Due to recruitment difficulties, DHS has been unable to find a qualified a successor for this position. Because of the critical need, it is a high priority to provide systems oversight. Having an extra help employee experienced HIPAA and other state and federal requirements is critical during these systems changes.
Department of Health Services has consulted with the Human Resources Department which is supportive of the recommended action.
In accordance with Government Code section 7522.56, DHS is asking the Board to certify as follows:
1. Lisa Moran’s appointment to Staff Psychiatrist Extra-Help is necessary to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of her retirement date;
2. Lisa Moran did not accept retirement incentives upon her retirement;
3. Lisa Moran’s appointment shall not exceed 960 hours per year;
4. Per Internal Revenue Code section 401(a) (36), Lisa Moran meets the requirement of being of normal retirement age;
5. Waheed Bhatti’s appointment to Systems Software Analyst is necessary to fill a critically needed position within 180 days of his retirement date;
6. Waheed Bhatti did not accept retirement incentives upon his retirement;
7. Waheed Bhatti’s appointment shall not exceed 960 hours per year; and
8. Per Internal Revenue Code section 401(a) (36), Waheed Bhatti meets the requirement of being a normal retirement age.
If the Board approves the foregoing certifications, Lisa Moran and Waheed Bhatti will be hired in their respective extra-help positions as early as August 22, 2023.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY 24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$205,334 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$205,334 |
0 |
0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$205,334 |
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$205,334 |
0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The cost for the retiree extra-help Staff Psychiatrist (Lisa Moran) will be $145.69 “I” step per hour. Based upon a maximum 960 hours the estimated costs for FY 23-24 will be $139,862. The Department has Staff Psychiatrist budgeted for FY 23-24 and will utilize those appropriations.
The cost for the retiree extra-help Systems Software Analyst (Waheed Bhatti) will be $68.20 per hour based upon a maximum 960 hours the estimated costs for FY 23-24 will be $65,472. The Department has Systems Software Analyst budgeted for FY 23-24 and will utilize those appropriations.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Staff Psychiatrist (retired to EH) |
$20,846.85 - $25,339.38 |
0 |
0 |
|
Systems Software Analyst (retired to EH) |
$9,757.29 - $11,861.80 |
0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Retiree extra-help appointments. No permanent allocations are being added or changed.
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None