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Campbell accepts AB 2561 vacancies report after unions raise staffing and retention concerns
Summary
City staff presented the statutorily required vacancies and recruitment report; union representatives highlighted police and dispatch vacancies and urged retention measures. Council accepted the report unanimously and directed staff to continue recruitment, retention and reporting work.
The Campbell City Council accepted the annual public‑hearing report on staffing vacancies and recruitment required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Gov. Code §3502.3) after a presentation by HR Manager Ada Chang and testimony from bargaining‑unit representatives.
Ada Chang summarized the city's April 15 snapshot of budgeted positions and vacancies, described recruitment and retention efforts — including targeted advertising, exit interviews and expanded training — and noted several positions remain frozen for budget reasons. "This law requires all public agencies to hold a public hearing on staffing vacancies and report on our recruitment and retention efforts," Chang said, adding that the city would prioritize operational needs and continue to refine recruitment processes.
Union leaders told council the operational reality is more acute than the spreadsheet suggests. Kelly Alvarado, president of the CPCEA, said the bargaining unit has "21.75 budgeted positions" and about "4.75 vacancies," representing roughly 22 percent when accounting for a frozen spot; she warned vacancies increase overtime and strain dispatch and records operations. Matt Ryan, representing the Campbell Police Officers Association, said the department has lost experienced officers to neighboring agencies and now has "33 operationally ready officers," stressing the effect of turnover on patrol experience and morale.
Council members thanked staff and the bargaining units for candor and asked HR and the city manager's office to be strategic about frozen positions. Mayor Furtado noted the city's Measure K revenue has been collected but remains sequestered by appellate litigation; if released, some frozen positions could be restored. Council member Hines moved to accept the report; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Council directed staff to continue recruitment and retention work, to consider the frozen positions when assessing vacancy impacts, and to keep the council updated as hiring and budget conditions change.
