REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Report on City Vacancies and Recruitment Efforts, Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561
Report
BACKGROUND
Effective January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2561 ("AB 2561") added Government Code section 3502.3 to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act ("MMBA") - the body of law that governs collective bargaining and labor relations at the local government level. GC 3502.3 requires public agencies to present the status of vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts before their governing body at least once per fiscal year. If the governing body is adopting an annual or multiyear budget, the presentation must be made prior to adoption of the final budget. Public agencies must identify obstacles in the hiring process.
Whenever the vacancy rate reached or exceeds 20% of the total number of authorized full-time positions within a single bargaining group, the law requires local government agencies to provide additional information on the number of job vacancies within the bargaining unit; the total number of applicants for the vacant positions within the bargaining unit the average number of days to complete the hiring process from when a position is posted; and opportunities to improve compensation and other working conditions.
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Clara has eleven (11) bargaining units totaling approximately 1,194.5 Full Time Equivalents, or FTE's. This excludes the 9.0 elected official FTEs, 2.0 Council Appointee FTE's, and approximately 796 as-needed (or temporary part-time) employees. As positions are added to the budget or become vacant, the City prioritizes recruitments to fill vacancies.
Classified Positions
Classified positions make up approximately 82% of the FTE's within the workforce and are generally considered non-exempt hourly positions. The City of Santa Clara's classified positions are governed by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations (CSR) pursuant to the City Charter. CSR are interpreted uniformly and cover appointme...
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