Monrovia reports 6.1% vacancy rate; council receives AB 2561 recruitment report

The Monrovia City Council received and filed its statutorily required annual vacancy and recruitment report during the April 21 meeting. Human Resources Manager Stephanie Liu presented data reflecting the city's staffing as of March 31, 2026, saying the city has 245 authorized full-time equivalent positions and an overall vacancy rate of 6.1%.

Liu summarized recruitment and retention activity for 2025: the city filled about 44 full-time positions (17 safety, 27 non-safety) and processed roughly 3,700 applications for 122 positions. She said staff are tracking vacancy data monthly and that no bargaining group reached the 20% vacancy threshold that would trigger enhanced reporting under state law. "Out of the 245 positions, 207 of the members are part of the city's 3 represented bargaining groups," Liu said in her presentation.

Under Assembly Bill 2561, local agencies must hold a public hearing before final budget adoption to report vacancy rates and recruitment efforts; the stated intent is to increase transparency and inform personnel budgeting. Liu told the council that recruitment timelines average about 12 weeks for non-safety positions and about six months for safety positions due to background and testing requirements.

Councilmembers thanked staff for the report and asked no substantive questions; the council formally received and filed the report as recommended. No further action or policy change was taken at the meeting.

The report is intended to inform future budgeting and recruitment priorities; staff said they would continue monthly vacancy tracking and follow-up with departments as needed.