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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06162009 - C.33RECOMMENDATION(S): ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 20691, to reallocate the salary of District Attorney on the Salary Schedule, from May 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. FISCAL IMPACT: Upon approval, this action will result in an annual cost savings of $36,922 in the County General Fund. This amount is based on a 10% reduction to the salary of the District Attorney Classification for the period May 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. BACKGROUND: On April 28, 2009, the Board of Supervisors held a Special Meeting to consider the announced impact of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 budget reductions on the District Attorney's Office and the criminal justice system, and determine any action to be taken. The Chair noted that the meeting was called due to the great gravity and concern, which was reflected by the number of public officials and citizens present in the audience. The Board was hoping to explore and discuss the issues that led to this difficult place as well as possible plans and strategies to address operational APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 06/16/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor ABSENT:Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Contact: Jennifer Marttinen, 957-2234 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: June 16, 2009 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Celicia Nelson, Deputy cc: M. Brown, T. Ewell, Tanya Stulken Duarte, Jennifer Marttinen C.33 To:Board of Supervisors From:Robert J. Kochly, District Attorney Date:June 16, 2009 Contra Costa County Subject:DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REDUCTION IN SALARY BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) impacts to the department. The County Administrator commented that while the Board has directed making public protection a top priority, tax revenues have continued to fall dramatically and that as the decline continues, there will be no way to continue to provide services at the 2008/09 level. It was also noted that across the state, many other counties are also facing budget shortfalls in excess of $100 million. The District Attorney noted that Contra Costa County is out in front on this issue and stated that similar discussions will be taking place in District Attorney Offices throughout the state in coming months. Mr. Kochly also offered perspective on the suggestion that his Office should still review all cases, even those that may not be prosecuted. He illustrated the operational issues associated with complying with the suggestion; primarily the shortage of attorney staff available to accomplish that amount of work. Questions regarding the May 4, 2009 effective date of filing policy changes were addressed by stating that unless the number of prosecutable cases is reduced now, many cases may need to be dropped at the end of the year when the final phase of personnel reductions are made. As a temporary solution to the first phase of attorney layoffs, Mr. Kochly proposed that three, funded fixed-term attorney positions vacated due to voluntary sepearation be held vacant through December 2009, providing adequate funding to preserve the six temporary fixed-term positions slated for layoff in on April 31, 2009. In addition, Mr. Kochly offered a 10% reduction in his own salary from May 2009 through June 2010 to ensure that the cost of this proposal is neutral to the County. The District Attorney is a single position classification, therefore Mr. Kochly will be the only imcumbent impacted by this reduction in salary. TheApril 28, 2009 Special Meeting concluded with the Board referring the the County Administrator to work with the Distict Attorney to address issues of the District Attorney's proposal to keep temporary employees in the Office as a stop-gap measure to temporarily preserve levels of service while other options are being considered. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Should this request not be granted, the District Attorney will be forced to layoff its temporary attorney and will not be able to review all of the criminal cases filed with their office. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: ATTACHMENTS P300 20691