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Board accepts several staffing requests but orders department-by-department 6% reduction plans
Summary
Supervisors approved hiring for positions in Assessor/Clerk-Recorder, Health Services and Library, but deferred district attorney requests pending a detailed plan showing how the office will meet a 6% countywide reduction target. The Board directed staff to return Nov. 4 with department plans for meeting the 6% reduction in salaries and benefits.
On Oct. 7 the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved multiple department staffing actions while also directing a countywide process to enforce a 6% reduction target in salaries and benefits across departments.
After public comment and department presentations, the board approved requests from the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (a real-property appraiser and a clerk/recorder position), Health Services (a senior public health nurse for the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care), and the County Library (replacements including an administrative services manager 1, a half-time library assistant and bookmobile driver replacement). County staff confirmed all proposed hires were budgeted in existing departmental budgets and that the departments had taken steps to reduce other positions or expenses. The Board voted to approve those hires unanimously.
The District Attorney’s office asked to reactivate four previously budgeted positions (including a senior legal assistant, a staff assistant 2 for victim-witness services, and two deputy district attorney slots). Supervisors expressed support for public safety staffing needs but repeatedly requested a clearer plan for how the DA would meet the Board’s previously directed 6% reduction in salaries and benefits. The board asked the DA to return with documentation (the DA had previously submitted a memo stating the office would meet the 6% requirement, but supervisors asked for more detail on how and the current-year budget position).
Following broad discussion, the board made a separate, binding directive: no future personnel hiring items should be placed on board agendas until each department provides an approved plan showing how it will meet the 6% reduction goal (with the executive office to compile department-by-department responses and present consolidated information on Nov. 4). The board’s motion — made by Supervisor Williams and seconded — was approved unanimously.
Supervisors and department heads stressed they wanted to avoid layoffs where possible, preferring reallocation, streamlined admin, and other measures; the board asked the executive office to track payroll and budget-to-actuals and to work with departments on measurable plans before approving additional hires.
