Sheriff asks board to delay approval of Vallejo policing contract, citing incomplete union meet‑and‑confer and logistical hurdles

Sheriff Thomas Ferraro asked the Solano County Board of Supervisors to delay formal approval of a proposed one‑year contract under which the Solano County Sheriff’s Office would provide temporary law‑enforcement assistance to the City of Vallejo.

Why the sheriff recommended postponement Ferraro told the board the City Council in Vallejo approved the city’s side of the contract on June 17 and the county received a written confirmation from the Department of Justice that the county is not a party to Vallejo’s stipulated DOJ agreement. But the sheriff said the county has not completed a formal meet‑and‑confer process with the Deputy Sheriffs Association (DSA) and with SEIU for dispatch personnel — a legally required bargaining step for proposed changes that affect wages or working conditions. Ferraro also flagged operational constraints such as vehicle procurement lead times and a recent Human Resources/CalPERS review that he said could require reductions in permitted retired‑annuitant assignments, which would reduce staffing options.

“As I said, up until March of this year… I didn’t think this would be a possibility,” Ferraro told the board. He recommended staff begin formal meet‑and‑confer and return no later than the board’s July 22 meeting if agreements can be reached.

Vallejo officials and community leaders pressed the board for immediate approval Vallejo city officials, the mayor and multiple council members and community organizations urged the board to approve the contract now. City Manager Andrew Murray and Mayor Andre Sors called the contract a “lifeline” that will cut police response times and allow the city to rebuild its police capacity. Council members and community leaders described recent shootings and homicides in Vallejo and urged immediate aid to reduce gun violence.

Union position The Deputy Sheriffs Association submitted a written letter opposing the contract as drafted; the union’s vice president, Todd O’Connor, told the board the DSA remained open to meet‑and‑confer and wanted issues corrected before a final recommendation. City officials said the Vallejo Police Officers Association (the city union) does not oppose the arrangement, and IBEW‑represented 9‑1‑1 dispatchers engaged in the city’s negotiations.

Human Resources and retired annuitant issue Nigel Edwards, Solano County director of human resources, said a CalPERS review of county retired annuitant usage found some retired annuitants had been continuously rehired for more than CalPERS allows; HR advised the county that employees who have served as retired annuitants beyond permitted limits should be removed to avoid CalPERS penalties. Ferraro said losing those retired‑annuitant deputies would make rapid staffing for Vallejo much harder.

Alternative proposed Ferraro offered an alternative to rejecting the contract entirely: begin meet‑and‑confer now, and if negotiations conclude successfully, return to the board on July 22 with a recommended approval. He asked the board for assistance to expedite procurement, vehicle outfitting and any administrative processes that would otherwise slow mobilization.

Public comment Dozens of Vallejo residents, community leaders and elected officials addressed the board. Speakers included Vallejo City Councilmembers, the city manager, the Vallejo NAACP president, and family members of victims of gun violence. Many urged immediate approval; others — including the DSA’s vice president — urged caution until union concerns are resolved.

Board reception Board members indicated support for completing the live meet‑and‑confer process before approving the contract, though some called the city’s need urgent. The sheriff and the DSA said they were open to further talks. Chair Mashburn later proposed an approach to begin union talks and return to the board at its July 22 meeting.

Quote “We were quite surprised to get that [DOJ confirmation]… but the only thing we haven’t done is complete the meet and confer process with the DSA,” Sheriff Ferraro said. “I don’t know that we can complete a meet and confer process with the DSA and dispatchers by July 1 … I’d recommend we not approve this today.”

Next steps County staff will begin a formal meet‑and‑confer process with the DSA and SEIU, coordinate HR and procurement to identify administrative accelerations, and return to the board at or before the July 22 meeting with a status report or recommendation depending on whether an agreement is reached.