Board approves hiring requests across eight departments to address staffing gaps

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved multiple hiring requests from eight departments as part of the strategic hiring process.

Human Resources director Sherry Johnson outlined the requests and confirmed attachments published with the agenda. Planning and Building Services director Julia Crogg asked to refill two front‑counter permit technician positions (Ukiah and Fort Bragg) and requested two interim extra‑help staff assistant roles for coverage during recruitment; she said the department is “really thin right now.” The sheriff’s administrative captain Jason Caddeo described critical vacancies, including a correctional sergeant, fiscal manager and records supervisor, and asked to dual‑fill a lieutenant position and consider adding CSO positions funded through CCP resources. Health Services director Dr. Janine Miller asked to fill 18 positions across merged departments to meet mandates and avoid potential state fines, saying the department is “tracking to end the fiscal year about $4,300,000 below projection” in some revenue series and that vacancies left staff overloaded.

Animal Care Services requested a full‑time animal facility attendant and an extra‑help attendant to cover seasonal and emergency demands; the positions are budgeted in the 25/26 adopted budget. Auditor‑controller/tax officer Shamice Cubeson and others described dual‑fill requests and continuity needs in fiscal offices. After a brief public comment, the board moved and approved the package of requests by unanimous vote.

Next steps: departments will proceed with recruitments per budget authority and report back on hires and impacts to service levels.