To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Authorize Expenditures for EHSD Staff Recognition Activities
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the annual Employment and Human Services Department's activities and AUTHORIZE annual expenditures of up to $37,000 for recognizing and appreciating department staff for their public service, as recommended by the Employment & Human Services Director. (100% County General Fund)
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Net County Cost.
BACKGROUND:
In October 2025 (C.56 <https://contra-costa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7690292&GUID=A9BC1512-B588-4A93-AA20-87F8A963E691>) the Board of Supervisors approved EHSD’s budget not to exceed $22,000 for annual staff recognition activities and events, including the EHSD Years of Service event, Public Service Recognition Week in May, and holiday greeting cards in December. The first event recognizes EHSD employees who reach milestone years; the two latter activities provide recognition to all EHSD employees.
EHSD proposes an adjusted annual budget not to exceed $37,000 for staff recognition activities and events with the following additions:
1) Additional $5,000 for EHSD Years of Service - EHSD will add five-year service milestones to its annual Years of Service celebration which already recognizes 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, and 40. An additional cost of $5,000 to add the 5-year recipients will accommodate the recognition of approximately 100 more staff members who reach five-year milestones, to include certificate frames, venue rental time, and refreshments.
2) Additional $10,000 for Bureau-specific recognition - EHSD proposes adding bureau-specific events to recognize employee accomplishments. These may include staff appreciation celebrations, food/snacks, and other activities at the discretion of EHSD bureau directors. The additional cost would be $10,000 (~2,000 FTE x $5).
The total annual budget not to exceed $37,000 will include the annual Years of Service event, Public Service Recognition Week in May, holiday greeting cards in December, and bureau-specific events to recognize employees’ accomplishments.
Employee morale and engagement are critical for retention and excellent customer service. In addition to the activities included in this request, the Department engages in numerous other recognition activities throughout the year that do not have fiscal impact.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
EHSD employees are not recognized for their dedicated service to Contra Costa County, potentially negatively impacting overall staff morale, engagement, and retention.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”