To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Defender
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
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Resolution for the Temporary Employment of Retired Annuitant as Supervising Legal Secretary with the Humboldt County Public Defender Office (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing an exception to the 180-day wait period of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for the employment of Georgette Trump as a temporary retired annuitant Supervising Legal Secretary (class 0114, salary range 400, step E) to fill a critically needed position with the Humboldt County Public Defender Office.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
On Dec. 16, 2021, Georgette Trump will retire from her position as Supervising Legal Secretary with the Humboldt County Public Defender Office (“Public Defender”), after more than twenty (20) years of service. With the volume of oversight for which the Supervising Legal Secretary is responsible, the Public Defender anticipates that there will be a significant need for Ms. Trump to provide training to current staff on drafting and processing complex legal pleadings and documents, assisting management staff in updating written policies and procedures, assisting with a detailed analysis of current position assignments and the implementation of updated case management software.
Ms. Trump has graciously agreed to stay on in an extra help capacity to assist the Public Defender Office during the transitional period so as to provide uninterrupted operation of critical programs and to ensure continuity of services to Public Defender clients.
The Public Defender certifies that the appointment of Ms. Trump prior to expiration of the California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”) one hundred eighty (180) day waiting period has expired is necessary to ensure that critical functions of the department continue without interruption in order to ensure satisfactory levels of service to public defender clients until such time as the position can be adequately filled.
Accordingly, the Public Defender recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached resolution authorizing an exception to the CalPERS one hundred eighty (180) day waiting period as required by California Government Code Section 7522.56(f)(1).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Ms. Trump will be hired in her existing job class with a designated wage assignment equal to other county employees performing comparable duties. It is anticipated that Ms. Trump will begin Jan. 3, 2022, and continue into fiscal year 2022-23. Ms. Trump will not work more than nine-hundred-sixty (960) hours for the current or next fiscal year after her official retirement date of Dec. 16, 2021. The approximate cost per month is $2,300 for a total of $13,800 for the six months remaining in FY 2021-22. As a result of two retirements and several staff vacancies there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of Ms. Trump’s extra help employment for the remaining six months of FY 2021-22. There is no additional cost to the general fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, by providing community-appropriate levels of service and investing in county employees.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose to not approve the retention of Ms. Trump as extra help to perform the job duties of Supervising Legal Secretary; however, this is not recommended because leaving the position vacant, even in the short term, will likely result in the Public Defender Office experiencing reduced efficiencies and less-than-optimal levels of indigent defense services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution for Exception to the CalPERS One Hundred Eighty (180) Day Wait Period; and
2. Government Code §§7522.56 and 21224
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A