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Council accepts vacancies report required by Assembly Bill 2561; city shows 6.2% vacancy rate
Summary
The Visalia City Council accepted a staff report prepared under Assembly Bill 2561 showing 723 budgeted positions and 45 vacancies (6.2%). Staff outlined recruitment steps and retention programs; the motion passed 4–0 with one member absent.
The Visalia City Council voted unanimously to accept a vacancies, recruitment and retention report prepared under Assembly Bill 2561, after staff outlined the city’s hiring progress and remaining gaps.
A human resources staff member told the council the data—compiled as of Feb. 28—showed 723 budgeted positions and 45 vacancies, a citywide vacancy rate of 6.2%. The presentation described the recruitment process in five steps (requisition, posting, screening and exams, certification of eligible lists, department interviews) and listed recent activity: 34 recruitments and multiple rounds of candidate testing and interviews to fill hard‑to‑staff roles such as land surveyor and wastewater treatment plant superintendent. The staff member said 13 vacant positions have names certified for interviews and that communications operator roles remain challenging "and this isn't just a City of Visalia issue; this is a nationwide issue." (Attribution: human resources staff.)
After no public speakers appeared for the item, a councilmember moved to accept the report required by AB 2561; the motion was seconded and approved 4–0 with Councilmember Nelson absent. The council did not attach additional requirements to the report but staff said they will continue recruitment efforts and return with updates as positions move through certification and interview stages.
The council’s vote implements the city’s reporting obligations under the state law and leaves ongoing hiring and retention strategies to staff for operational follow‑up.
