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Adopt a resolution amending the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 2.0 FTE Limited Term Senior Public Safety Dispatchers for the term of August 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 primarily to provide medical backfill relief and add 2.0 FTE Sheriff Security Officers to provide perimeter court security services; and Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request to recognize $126,983 in unanticipated trial court security funding for two Sheriff Security Officers (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution amending the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 2.0 FTE Limited Term Senior Public Safety Dispatchers for the term of August 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 primarily to provide medical backfill relief and add 2.0 FTE Sheriff Security Officers to provide perimeter court security services; and
2. Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) to recognize $126,983 in unanticipated trial court security funding for two Sheriff Security Officers (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State of California is experiencing a critical shortage of dispatchers for police and fire services. The Solano County Dispatch Center (Center) has not been fully staffed in more than two years and currently has two dispatchers out on extended medical leave and one vacancy. During FY2014/15, the Center carried more than four vacancies and two extended leaves; however, three new dispatchers started within the last two months and are in an intensive six month training program. Only one of five new hire candidates has successfully completed training in the past two years. The two limited term Senior Public Safety Dispatcher positions will provide the necessary backfill relief for the staff currently on long-term medical leaves. 911 operations are vital to public safety and the Solano County community. Competition for qualified dispatchers and job stress contribute to a high turnover rate. To combat the long-term problem, the Sheriff is working with regional colleges in Napa and Sacramento that offer a certified dispatch program to promote Solano County to both recent and upcoming graduates. In addition to the new limited term dispatch positions, the Sheriff is trying to establish an extra-help pool to cover future staffing issues and critical incidents. This pool of extra-help employees will be trained and ready to assist and could easily transition to regular full time to fill future vacancies.
State regulations require the Sheriff to provide bailiffs for court room security and in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding, the Solano County Superior Court contracts with the Sheriff to provide perimeter court security to include securing all access points to the Courthouse buildings and operating weapons screening stations. With the opening of the renovated Old Solano County Courthouse in September 2014, located in Fairfield at 580 Texas Street, the Sheriff’s Office has been providing perimeter court security services using extra-help Sheriff Security Officers and contracted guards provided by Universal Protection Services (UPS). The current staffing pattern calls for 74-80 hours of perimeter security services per week. The Sheriff applied for additional Trial Court Security Funding to offset the added costs of providing court security services to the new Courthouse. On June 16, 2015, the Sheriff received notice from the Department of Finance that Solano County would receive $126,983 in supplemental funding for security costs associated with the renovation of the old Solano Courthouse as outlined in Government Code section 69927 and has approved that amount in ongoing supplemental funding for FY2015/16 and annually thereafter. The Sheriff is requesting to add two new Sheriff Security Officers and will reduce current extra-help officers accordingly. The request is supported by Human Resources.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Board action will not impact the County General Fund.
Salary and benefits costs for all regular full time dispatchers have been included in the Sheriff’s FY2015/16 operating budget. Approval of the Senior Public Safety Dispatchers allows the Dispatch Center to remain flexibly staffed. The Sheriff’s Office intends to staff the positions with entry level or journey level candidates. With an anticipated start date of late September 2015, the estimated FY2015/16 cost for the 2.0 FTE limited term Public Safety Dispatchers is $149,522. The cost will be entirely offset with the salary savings associated with staff out on extended medical leave and/or vacancies. The new limited term positions are not expected to impact the County General Fund in subsequent years as these positions will expire once the dispatch center is fully staffed.
The Sheriff is requesting approval of an ATR to recognize $ 126,983 in supplemental funding for 2.0 FTE Sheriff Security officers to staff the renovated old Solano Courthouse. With an anticipated start date of late August, the estimated FY2015/16 cost for the 2.0 FTE Sheriff Security Officers is $130,097 and the shortfall between the supplemental funding and annual cost for the positions will be offset with savings from extra-help. The annualized cost for the 2.0 FTE Sheriff Security Officers is $153,620. The new positions are not expected to impact the County General Fund in subsequent years as the annual Trial Court Security Funding and related Fund Balance is sufficient to cover the costs associated with the positions. Funding is provided on an ongoing basis and will be adjusted annually by the same rate applicable with the Sales and Use Tax Growth Account in the 2011 Public Safety Realignment Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the position resolution; however, this alternative is not recommended as the Sheriff requires additional staffing to maintain appropriate service levels for dispatch center operations and court security services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office has reviewed this report and resolution and concurs with the Sheriff’s recommendation. Solano County Human Resources prepared the resolution to amend the Sheriff’s allocated positions.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION