Cerritos projects $2.9 million operating shortfall; council orders staffing, rate and fee studies

Cerritos City Council members on May 7 heard a combined hiring-transparency report and preliminary budget update that together left the city with a projected $2.9 million operating deficit for fiscal year 2025–26 and a slate of follow-up studies and committee work.

City staff presented metrics required under Assembly Bill 2561 showing the city had 14 vacant represented positions (a vacancy rate under about 9.5 percent), an average time-to-hire of roughly 54 days (down from 88 days the prior year) and an average of about 34 applicants per posted represented position. Director of Administrative Services Drew Schneider said the city had reduced hiring delays through standardized selection procedures, a compensation rubric and other process changes.

The hiring report drew praise from Rogan Girard, president of AFSCME Local 619, who told the council the human-resources team had improved communication and that additional HR staff — and returning payroll to finance — should be considered to speed recruitment and support succession planning. Girard and other union representatives also urged reconsideration of how the city applies the 960‑hour limit that affects part‑time employees’ CalPERS membership and asked for quicker interim solutions for departments…