Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Daniel T. Belville, Director, Public Safety Communications (PSC)
Subject: Resolution Certifying the Critical Need for Retiree Appointment
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the extra-help hiring of Public Safety Communications’ retiring Communications Dispatcher II, Sandra Varner, pursuant to Government Code §7522.56(f)(1), and finding that the nature of employment and appointment is necessary to fill a critically-needed position during the 180-day post-retirement separation period.
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BACKGROUND:
In September 2012, the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) was signed into law as Assembly Bill 340. The PEPRA legislation includes provisions in Government Code §7522.56 requiring a 180-day separation (“sit-out”) following the date of retirement for non-safety retirees who are re-employed by a public agency within the same retirement system as an employee or contractor, unless the employer certifies that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically-needed position before the 180 days have passed.
In order for this exception to the 180-day separation period to apply, state law requires that your Board, as the County’s governing body, approve by resolution the appointment in a public meeting and not on the consent calendar.
DISCUSSION:
Sandra Varner will retire from County service on March 31, 2018 after serving for 33 years as a Dispatcher in the 9-1-1 Communications Center. She has held several different and vital positions in the Center, including Dispatcher for Law, Supervising Dispatcher, and most recently as a Communications Dispatcher II for Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She has played an important role in developing training programs for the department. As an extra help employee, she will be able to provide needed relief and fill critical shortages in staffing in the 911 Center while ongoing training of new Dispatchers continues.
Ms. Varner will be paid $47.02 per hour as extra help/relief (Per Diem), Communications Dispatcher II- Relief. Pursuant to Government Code §7522.56, her hours will be limited to no more than 960 hours per fiscal year.
County Counsel has approved the proposed resolution as to form.
SHARED VISION 2025
Adoption of the proposed resolution contributes to Shared Vision 2025 of a Safe and Healthy Community by providing relief for emergency 9-1-1 dispatchers.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Projected |
|
9-1-1 calls received, answered within 10 seconds |
91% |
90% |
|
Percent of high priority police, fire and medical calls dispatched within established time frames |
73% |
80% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in net county cost associated with the recommended action beyond PSC-budgeted expenses for this staffing. Appropriations to cover extra help costs are included in the FY17-18 budget.