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Consider adopting eleven separate resolutions approving the appointments of nine retired annuitant Deputy Sheriffs and two retired annuitant Public Safety Dispatchers pursuant to Senate Bill 1379 to allow retired personnel to temporarily backfill key roles so active staff can assist Vallejo with temporary law enforcement services through December 31, 2026
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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 consider adopting eleven separate resolutions approving the appointments of nine retired annuitant Deputy Sheriffs and two retired annuitant Public Safety Dispatchers pursuant to Senate Bill 1379 to allow retired personnel to temporarily backfill key roles so active staff can assist Vallejo with temporary law enforcement services through December 31, 2026.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In July 2023, the City of Vallejo declared a public safety staffing emergency and requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Office. Due to staffing challenges within the Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff worked with Senator Bill Dodd to sponsor Senate Bill 1379 (SB 1379), which was signed into law in September 2024, authorizing the temporary use of retired personnel to backfill critical positions and allow active staff to support Vallejo. Following enactment of the legislation, the Sheriff’s Office provided Vallejo with a proposed term sheet in December 2024, and the Vallejo City Council authorized contract negotiations in March 2025.
On May 6, 2025, the Board of Supervisors received an informational presentation and authorized the Sheriff to proceed with contract negotiations, contingent upon Vallejo’s approval by July 1, 2025, written confirmation from the California Department of Justice that the Sheriff’s Office would not be subject to the DOJ settlement involving Vallejo, and completion of the required meet-and-confer process with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Law Enforcement Managers Association (LEMA), and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA).
On June 17, 2025, the Vallejo City Council approved the contract. Following completion of the meet-and-confer process, the Board approved the contract and side letter on September 23, 2025, authorizing a one-year agreement for supplemental law enforcement services effective January 1, 2026.
The Sheriff’s Office will begin providing services in Vallejo on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. This start date aligns with the annual shift change and allows sufficient time to complete vehicle upfitting, recruitment, and staffing coordination. County departments, CalPERS, the City of Vallejo, and the Sheriff’s Office have worked collaboratively to address legislative, operational and logistical requirements to ensure a successful service launch.
SB 1379 authorizes the Solano County Sheriff’s Office to exceed the standard 960-hour limitation for retired annuitants performing duties customarily assigned to deputy sheriffs, evidence technicians, or communications operators, subject to approval of each appointment by the Board of Supervisors through a resolution adopted at a public meeting. Each appointment requires completion of a pre-employment background investigation, verification that the retired individual is not subject to POST decertification, and documentation that the County conducted no less than six continuous months of recruitment with no qualified applicants available for hire. Compensation is limited to the average hourly rate for the applicable classification and may not exceed the higher of the retiree’s last active rate of pay or the entry-level rate, with only general, classification-wide adjustments permitted. The total number of appointments authorized under this provision is limited to 20.
Of the 20 appointments allowed under this provision, approval is being requested today for 11 retired annuitant appointments. As qualified candidates become available, a future agenda item may be brought forward to request approval of further appointments.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In addition to salaries, the County is required to pay CalPERS a $200 monthly fee for each retired annuitant exceeding the 960-hour limitation. There are sufficient appropriations budgeted in the FY2025/26 Working Budget to cover all salaries, fees, and related costs in the assigned Sherriff’s Office bureau - Trial Court Security or Dispatch, as applicable. There is no impact on the County General Fund.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to adopt the resolutions, however, this is not recommended as it would prevent the Sheriff’s Office from being able to fulfill its obligations under the approved agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources and CalPERS assisted the Sheriff’s Office with eligibility verification, statutory compliance, and implementation requirements related to these appointments.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION