Chino council authorizes recruitment for 17 positions and funds eight urgent roles

City Manager Linda Reich outlined an immediate request to authorize recruitment for 17 mission‑critical positions identified by the executive management team and to fund the eight most urgent positions for the remainder of the fiscal year. Reich said the 17 positions address compliance, operational backlogs, long‑range planning and development needs.

The eight prioritized positions include a payroll technician, deputy director of technology and innovation, associate engineer for transportation, facilities maintenance technician, deputy city clerk, project coordinator for facilities maintenance, housing manager and economic development analyst. Reich said the immediate two‑month cost for those hires is $422,570 and the ongoing annual salaries and benefits for the eight positions would total approximately $1,346,458 beginning in FY26‑27.

Council members discussed the city's commitment to use funds (including available general fund surplus) and asked for accountability and progress reporting; one council member said they expect visible results within two to three years for infrastructure and service improvements. The council approved the motion to initiate recruitment and fund the eight positions with supporting votes (4–0, mayor absent). Staff will return for job descriptions and additional funding authorizations for the remaining positions in subsequent budget actions.

The council also adopted a job classification and amended compensation for the Deputy Director of Technology and Innovation and approved the recruitment steps outlined in the staff report.