Monterey County HR reports on recruitment challenges amid AB 2561 requirements

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors held a crucial budget hearing on May 28, 2025, addressing significant staffing challenges and recruitment efforts as mandated by Assembly Bill 2561. The Human Resources Department presented a detailed overview of the county's current vacancies and recruitment strategies, revealing a total of 5,954 authorized positions, with 575 vacancies reported.

The presentation highlighted the ongoing recruitment challenges, particularly the impact of high living costs and competitive wages in the region. The HR team noted that while they conducted 237 recruitments resulting in 662 hires, the county still faces difficulties in filling positions, especially in critical areas like social services and public safety. The HR director emphasized the importance of addressing base wage disparities, which have been identified as a barrier to attracting and retaining qualified staff.

Union representatives voiced their concerns during the meeting, particularly regarding the high number of vacancies in social services, which they argued directly affects the community's most vulnerable populations. Olivia Martinez, a representative from SEIU 521, stressed the detrimental effects of understaffing on social workers' workloads, citing alarming caseloads that can exceed 90 children per worker. She urged the board to reconsider any plans to cut positions, advocating instead for un-funding vacancies to maintain essential services.

Steve Summers, representing the District Attorney's office, echoed these concerns, highlighting the negative impact of understaffing on public safety and the quality of legal services. He pointed out that the county's compensation study revealed significant wage disparities compared to neighboring counties, exacerbating recruitment issues.

Park rangers also contributed to the discussion, emphasizing the need for adequate staffing to ensure public safety in county parks. They reported that current staffing levels hinder their ability to provide essential services, including emergency response and public safety patrols.

As the board prepares to finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the discussions underscored the urgent need for strategic solutions to address staffing shortages and improve recruitment efforts. The board's decisions in the coming weeks will be critical in shaping the county's ability to deliver essential services and support its workforce effectively.