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Board narrowly approves sheriff's chief deputy appointment at top salary step after debate over PPNR waivers
Summary
After debate about personnel policy, the Board approved an exception to hire a chief deputy at step 7 in Unit Y (department heads/assistant department heads). The item required a waiver of Personnel Policies and Rules (PPNR) provisions; the vote carried 3-2.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on July 1 to approve an appointment at step 7 for a Unit Y position (chief deputy in the sheriff's department), following debate about whether the Personnel Policies and Rules (PPNR) should be waived in this instance.
Background: Under the county's PPNR, appointing authorities generally may hire up to specified salary steps without board approval; appointments above those steps for Unit Y (department heads, assistant department heads and chief deputies) require authorization from the board. The current request asked the board to waive the PPNR's general-provision requirements and allow appointment at step 7.
Discussion highlights: Supervisor Askew said she could not support the step-7 placement because the hiring did not follow an open recruitment and PPNR criteria. County HR clarified that Unit Y appointments above step 3 require board authorization and that the waiver requested would permit an appointment at step 7. Other supervisors said certain elected officials need discretion to recruit qualified senior appointees and that the particular candidate would accept a pay cut even at step 7.
Vote and result: The board approved the waiver and the appointment (motion carried 3 to 2). Opponents said the practice rewards departments that have repeatedly exceeded budget limits and risks undermining equitable application of hiring rules; supporters emphasized recruitment flexibility for elected officials.
Administrative and policy implications: County HR said it will return to the board in August with proposals to review and update the PPNR. Supervisors asked that the review consider clearer rules on open recruitment and limits on board-authorized salary exceptions.
Ending: The narrow vote concluded an extended discussion about personnel policy, recruitment fairness and budgetary discipline; the board asked HR to return with revised PPNR language.
