Board introduces CalPERS contract amendment to allow military service credit for safety members

Veronica Baumgartner of Sutter County Human Resources presented an appearance item to the board on May 27 seeking authorization to amend the county’s contract with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for safety members. Baumgartner said the memorandum of understanding negotiated with the Sutter County Peace Officers Association included a provision to initiate a contract amendment by March 1 to allow military service credit to be treated as public service for eligible deputies.

Baumgartner said the change would permit eligible members to elect to purchase up to four years of service credit for prior active military service and that this was a benefit already available to other county employee groups. She cited the required procedures under state law (referred in the staff presentation as Government Code section 7507) for benefit changes and stated there is no county fiscal cost associated with the contract amendment; CalPERS does not require a new evaluation, and employees would be responsible for any purchased credit.

The board moved and seconded the recommendation, the clerk read the ordinance title into the record, and the board voted to waive full reading and continue final adoption to the June 24, 2025 meeting. Roll-call votes were: Supervisor Boone – Aye; Supervisor Flores – Aye; Supervisor Ziggermeyer – Aye; Supervisor Banes – Aye; Supervisor Stevens – Aye.

The item will return for final adoption on June 24, 2025.