Supervisors split over elevated step placements for top county hires; sheriff appointment continued

Monterey County supervisors spent extended time on June 24 debating whether to authorize above-policy salary step placements for two high-level hires, signaling ongoing board concern about exceptions to the county’s personnel policies.

Deputy chief deputy sheriff appointment (item 46): Supervisor Askew and others objected to a proposed step-7 placement for an appointed deputy chief deputy sheriff, saying human resources had not reviewed the appointment and that the county’s policy (PPNR — Personnel Policies and Procedures Rules) restricts initial appointments above step 4 except under narrowly documented conditions. Sheriff Nieto told the board the appointment was a direct appointment by an elected official and that the appointee, described by the sheriff as highly qualified and taking a substantial pay cut to come to Monterey County, justified the request.

After a lengthy exchange about fairness…