Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
La Verne council receives AB 2561 staffing-vacancies report as residents press for turnover detail
Summary
The City of La Verne presented its annual AB 2561 staffing-vacancies report showing 195 budgeted full-time positions and a 6.67% vacancy rate through March 2026; residents asked the council to expand future reports to separate turnover, promotions and retirements for clearer context. Council acknowledged requests and approved the hearing for compliance.
The City of La Verne presented its annual staffing-vacancies report under California Assembly Bill 2561 at the May 4 council meeting, showing 195 budgeted full-time positions, 24 separations, 25 hires and 13 vacancies — a 6.67% vacancy rate through March 2026. Assistant City Manager JR Reynolds told the council the report fulfills state requirements and recommended the city formally conduct the public hearing for compliance.
Public commenter Rick Bowen challenged how the numbers were being presented, asking whether the figures represented a 12–13% turnover rate and whether departures were retirements, firings or moves to other agencies. "That seems over — that is huge," Bowen said, urging the council to explain the reasons behind separations.
Council members and staff agreed additional breakdowns would make the report more useful. Council member Lau and others asked staff to include separations categorized by reason (retirement, promotion, move to other agency, voluntary resignation) and to highlight internal promotions so vacancies caused by promotions are distinguishable from true turnover. "If someone leaves for another agency or retires, that's relevant context," JR Reynolds said, noting the current AB 2561 report focuses on vacancies as required by law.
The council approved the item 4-0, with Councilmember Crosby absent, to receive the report and meet the legal hearing requirement. Members signaled support for adding comparative and explanatory metrics in future reports so the public can better evaluate workforce trends before budget adoption.
Next steps: staff said they would consider adding the recommended breakdowns in next year’s reporting and explore including a feedback loop to evaluate whether the AB 2561 data is answering the policy questions that prompted the legislation.
