To: Contra Costa County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
From: Joseph Villarreal, Executive Director
Report Title: Public Hearing on the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts (Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3)
☐Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
HOLD public hearing and RECEIVE report on the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa's (HACCC) workforce vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561. (Gov. Code § 3502.3.) RECEIVE testimony and CLOSE the public hearing.
BACKGROUND:
AB 2561 was introduced to address the issue of job vacancies in local government, which adversely affects the delivery of public services and employee workload. Among other requirements, the bill mandated that public agencies present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before the agency’s governing body at least once per fiscal year. The bill was enacted into law and is codified at Government Code section 3502.3. The new law became effective January 1, 2025.
In compliance with Government Code section 3502.3, HACCC is required to do the following:
1. Public Hearing: At least once each fiscal year, at a public hearing before the Board, HACCC shall present information regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts (Gov. Code § 3502.3(a)(1)) and identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process (Gov. Code § 3502.3(a)(3)).
If the Board of Commissioners adopts an annual or multiyear budget during the fiscal year, this presentation must occur prior to the Board’s adoption of the final budget for HACCC. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(a)(2).)
2. Employee Organization Participation: Upon request, allow the recognized employee organization for each bargaining unit at HACCC to make presentations during the public hearing concerning vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. There are 2 bargaining units at HACCC: AFSCME/PEU Local One Clerical and AFSCME/PEU Local One Maintenance. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(b).)
3. Additional Reporting for High Vacancy Rates: If vacancies within a single bargaining unit meet or exceed 20% of authorized full-time positions in that bargaining unit, upon request of the recognized employee organization for that bargaining unit, HACCC must provide additional information during the public hearing, including the following: (1) the total number of vacancies; (2) the number of applicants; (3) the average time to fill positions; and (4) opportunities to improve compensation and working conditions for employees in the bargaining unit. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(c).)
Neither of HACCC’s bargaining units has a vacancy rate of 20% or higher.
To improve recruitment and retention, HACCC has shifted to keeping some key positions continually open for applications. HACCC has also been aggressive (within its federal fiscal constraints) in increasing its salary scale for many positions over the past two Union negotiating cycles.
In examining its policies, procedures and recruitment activities for any changes that could be made to remove obstacles to the hiring process, HACCC has identified the following:
• Consider changing minimum qualifications for some positions at or near entry-level;
• Consider updating job descriptions for several positions where there is significant overlap; and
• Examine new advertising channels for some of our key positions with consistent hiring needs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with conducting the public hearing required under Government Code section 3205.3. However, addressing recruitment and retention issues may involve future budget and bargaining considerations, which will be presented to the Board as necessary.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Non-compliance with Government Code section 3502.3.