MEETING DATE: 4/12/2022
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Ray Espinosa
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: County Administration Office
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 119
SUBJECT:
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R. ESPINOSA
Adopt Resolution creating an equal and uniform compensation plan for all Elected Officials including Elected Department Heads.
SBC FILE NUMBER:119
RESOLUTION NO: 2022-45
AGENDA SECTION:
REGULAR AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Elected Department Heads have provided service for the County of San Benito in regular employee status and elective service status as defined by Government Code 20322 and Public Employees Retirement Law Code 21231.
The County Administration Office seeks to establish equitable compensation and benefits among County Supervisors and Elected Department Heads. The current compensation plan for elected officials is two-tier; County Supervisors are paid a flat rate, whereas Elected Department Heads are subject to an annual step increase.
The County Administration Office conducted a survey on the compensation plan adopted in California’s 58 counties. The survey found that 78% of elected officials have a flat compensation rate. The neighboring counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Fresno, Madera, Merced, and Monterey apply the flat rate compensation model for all elected officials.
The general conclusion is that elected officials are exempt from annual written evaluations used as a basis for earning a step increase. This exception applies to elected officials because they are evaluated every four years by the voters at the scheduled elections.
Elected Department Heads do not accrue vacation or sick leave or get special compensations for language, training, or certifications. This common distinction creates salary compaction when a subordinates salary approaches or, and in some cases exceeds, the salary of an Elected Department Head who is placed in steps A to C of their respected ranges.
This change will create equity and uniformity for every Elected Department Head and eliminates uneven treatment and confusion in compensation, providing greater adherence to the spirit of the County’s Strategic Plan. .
This change would become effective January 2, 2023.
The total annual cost factoring in Salaries and Benefits for all potentially impacted positions is a minimum change of $158,072.00 and a maximum change of $225,210.00.
The cost is composed of potential election changes taking into consideration contested elections and uncontested elections with Elected department heads not currently at the G step. The effected positions are the County Sheriff, County District Attorney, County Treasurer-Tax Collector Public Administrator, and the County Clerk-Recorder.
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
Yes
CONTRACT NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
N/A
CONTRACT AND RFP HISTORY:
N/A
LAST CONTRACT AMOUNT OR N/A:
N/A
STATE IF THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT/ HOW MANY PAST AMENDED CONTRACTS/ OR N/A:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
BUDGETED:
N/A
Budget Adjustment Needed: N/A
Unfunded Mandate (Is this a mandate not funded by the State): N/A