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Board adopts overhaul of county civil‑service hiring rules
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Summary
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance amending Title 5 of county code to update civil service rules intended to streamline hiring, centralize postings and allow electronic notices. Labor and county employees urged clarity on banding and safeguards against favoritism.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on April 28 voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that revises civil service rules in county code Title 5, a set of changes officials said will simplify job postings and modernize hiring procedures.
Department of Human Resources Director Lisa Garrett told the board the changes are the result of extensive negotiation. "The negotiations alone lasted over a year and a half, almost 2 years," Garrett said, adding the revisions centralize postings, clarify appeals processes and permit electronic notices rather than mailed hard copies.
Supporters on the board and the DHR team said the updates aim to shorten time-to-hire and reduce outdated administrative steps. Supervisor Mitchell, who moved the approval, said the changes are intended to help both new applicants and current employees seeking promotions.
At a public hearing, county employees and remote callers urged caution. Adam Sakowitz, a senior county employee who said he has served on hiring panels, warned the changes could be misused: "Reducing the bands from 5 to 3 and lowering the scores in those bands allows managers to hire or promote based on favoritism," he said, arguing the revisions may enable 'cherry picking' unless additional safeguards are added.
Lisa Garrett responded that the rule changes were informed by years of departmental feedback and negotiations with labor and County Counsel. She said the DHR and labor relations teams had spent nearly two years working through the issues and that County Council and departments had contributed to the final package.
The motion to approve the ordinance was moved by Supervisor Mitchell and seconded by Supervisor Horvath; the roll call was recorded as unanimous. The ordinance was adopted as presented; the transcript does not specify an effective date or administrative implementation timeline.
What happens next: County staff and DHR will carry out the technical implementation steps and coordinate with departments and labor representatives. Board members asked that departments keep the board informed about implementation and any unintended effects on hiring timelines.
