Supervisors approve creation of one permanent Economic & Workforce Development position after debate

The Board of Supervisors voted on May 8 to amend the annual salary ordinance and create one new permanent position in the Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD). The item passed on first reading with seven ayes and three noes.

Supervisor Sandoval pressed department and budget staff for detail on the agency—s recent growth and the cost of the requested position. "The department has grown very, very quickly," Sandoval said during debate, asking for historical position counts and for the rationale for a permanent post tied to a one‑year grant. The supervisor also raised broader concerns about continued staff expansion.

Monique Samuda from the Controller—s Office provided county position counts in response: "In fiscal year 04/2005, the Department of Economic and Workforce Development had 13 positions. The subsequent year, 05/06, it had 11.6 positions. And in the current year...the department employs 23 positions," she said.

A budget analyst provided cost estimates for the new slot. "The total operating expenses for the position, including salaries and fringe benefits would be $135,749," the analyst said. The base salary for the job was given as approximately $103,714.

Supervisor Sandoval unsuccessfully urged colleagues to consider whether the department could administer the new program within existing staff. "This is just 1 position...it's gonna be there forever, even though the grant money runs out after a year," he said.

On roll call the board recorded seven ayes and three noes and the item passed on first reading. No mover/second were recorded on the public transcript. The ordinance will return in subsequent steps for final passage.

The debate was limited to the staffing, salary and departmental growth questions; no changes to the proposed job classification or salary were recorded on the floor.