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File #: 26-135    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Consent Agenda
File created: 2/10/2026 In control: Human Resources
On agenda: 3/10/2026 Final action:
Title: Approval of the Side Letter of Agreement Between the Humboldt Deputy Sheriff's Organization (HDSO) and the County of Humboldt
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Side Letter of Agreement (HDSO)-Pensionable Compensation

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Human Resources

Agenda Section: Consent

Vote Requirement: Majority

SUBJECT:
title
Approval of the Side Letter of Agreement Between the Humboldt Deputy Sheriff's Organization (HDSO) and the County of Humboldt
end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign a Side Letter of Agreement, (Attachment 1) between HDSO and the County of Humboldt, clarifying the payment of pensionable special compensation to members in the unit; and
2. Approve the Humboldt County Salary Range Schedule as an extension of Attachment 1.

Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.

Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3001 - Support a well-trained workforce

DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt and the Humboldt Sheriff's Deputy Organization (HDSO) Unit have reached agreement on a Side Letter of Agreement amending previous versions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the dates of July 1, 2017 and Feb. 14, 2026. This Side Letter adds Section 73 to the MOU and amends Sections 10 through 13 and 21.

The purpose of this agreement is to clarify provisions related to Field Training Officer Pay, Criminal Investigation Division Rotational Assignments, Longevity Incentive Pay, Bomb Squad Incentive Pay and Educational Certificate Pay (POST Certificate Pay), ensuring compliance with CalPERS regulations and consistency with the county's and HDSO's long-standing intent and past practice.

CalPERS identified concerns during a recent compensation review regarding the interpretation of California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 571 and determined that existing MOU language did not fully align with their current interpretation. The Side Letter of Agreement addresses these concerns by clarifying the order in which incentive payments are applied, detailing the cumulative
nature of the c...

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