Kings County supervisors approve CEO contract, firefighters’ agreement, salary resolution and sheriff pay in unanimous votes

The Kings County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18 approved a package of personnel and pay actions, including a five‑year employment agreement with Chief Executive Officer Kyria Martinez, ratification of a successor agreement with the Kings County Firefighters Association, a countywide salary resolution introducing a 10‑step progression for department heads, and compensation for the incoming sheriff.

County counsel Lori Abadizzi told the board the CEO agreement takes effect Nov. 10, 2025, and places the CEO in salary band 1 at $20,333 per month with annual step progression and standard management benefits; the agreement includes a 12‑month severance provision if the CEO is terminated without cause. The board approved the contract on a 5–0 roll call vote.

Human Resources analyst Ashley Hernandez summarized the successor memorandum of understanding with the firefighters union, covering July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027. The agreement provides a seven‑range salary increase effective Nov. 10, 2025, a three‑range increase effective July 6, 2026, an increase in the uniform allowance to $1,300, revised longevity tiers (2% at five years, 5% at 10 years, 7.5% at 15 years), and a higher deferred compensation match. Hernandez said the estimated fiscal impact for the remainder of the fiscal year is approximately $659,544. The board authorized county staff to execute the agreement by unanimous vote.

Human Resources Director Carolyn Lees presented a salary resolution to place appointed and elected department heads into a new 10‑step system designed to address stagnation and improve retention. Lees said the remainder‑of‑year cost is estimated at $94,227 (about $79,800 general fund) with an approximate second‑year cost of $206,000. Supervisors asked clarifying questions; the resolution passed 5–0.

Administration also requested setting compensation for incoming Sheriff David Putnam at $17,667 per month, effective Nov. 24, 2025. The board approved the amount 5–0. Outgoing Sheriff Dave Robinson and incoming Sheriff Putnam offered brief remarks of thanks and described a planned swearing‑in.

Board members who spoke praised staff‑union negotiations and said the personnel measures will help recruitment and continuity. No public testimony opposed the items. Several items were presented as routine motions and approved after roll‑call votes.

The board’s formal actions on these personnel items were: approval of the CEO employment agreement; authorization for the director of Human Resources to sign the firefighters’ successor agreement; adoption of the salary resolution to institute the 10‑step bands for department heads; and setting the sheriff’s compensation. Each action record and vote tally is part of the meeting minutes.