Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02141989 - 2.1 2 . 1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on _February 14, 1989_, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None -------------------------=---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Report on the Analysis of the Feasibility of Utilizing Correctional Officers in the Detention System The Board considered the "Analysis of the Feasibility of Utilizing Correctional Officers in the Detention System" prepared by Hughes, Heiss & Associates. Dr. Richard Brady of Hughes, Heiss & Associates spoke on the scope of the report and the issues studied. He commented on the advantages of conversion to Correction Officers to include salary and fringe benefit costs being lower for Correctional Officers; reduction in recruitment time for civilian positions in detention systems; lower training costs for Correctional Officers; and lower overtime costs for Correctional Officers. Dr. Brady also com- mented on the disadvantages of conversion to Correctional Officers which include the trend toward salary and fringe benefit parity with Deputy Sheriffs that could impact on cost savings to be achieved; recruitment of highly qualified candidates for Correc- tional Officer positions to be highly competitive because of new and expanded prison facilities scheduled to open in the next few years; and the costs associated with high turnover rates which could eliminate potential savings. Dr. Brady commented on the risks associated with conversion to Correctional Officers in comparison to the small potential cost savings that may be realized. He advised that comparable savings may be achieved by continuing to civilianize support positions in the Sheriff ' s Department and identified 27 positions in the Coun- ty' s detention system that could be civilianized with an estimated cost savings of $200,000 per year. He spoke on opportunities to civilianize several positions in field services/patrol to handle low-risk calls, parking offenses, service calls, etc. , as well as several management positions in dispatch and in records. He estimated an additional $195,000 in savings might be achieved by civilianizing this last group of positions. In response to questions of Board members, Dr. Brady advised that in most counties, a Department of Corrections is a division within the Sheriff ' s Department or Probation Department. He commented on the feasibility of establishing Deputy Sheriff I and II classifications and noted that in counties with a low employee turnover rate the ability to attract qualified candidates to fill these positions could suffer. Richard K. Rainey, Sheriff-Coroner, expressed support for civilianizing certain positions in his department and expressed reservations with using correctional officers to fill custodial positions. He noted that this County has had the ability to use Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the detention facilities in cases of disasters or riots which would not apply if the facility was staffed with correctional or peace officers. The Sheriff advised that the intake module is staffed with non-sworn personnel, but that he has not been successful in accomplishing this transition in the Central Control Center because of disagreement with Local I in changing the status of the positions. He called attention to the fact that the Martinez Detention facility is recognized interna- tionally as a model detention system. He expressed his commitment to maintaining high standards and professionalism to retain this honored position. Paul Katz, Contra Costa Employees Association, Local I , spoke of using non-sworn personnel in the detention facilities and advised that he believes the advantages outweigh the disadvantages particularly in the area of cost savings. He expressed an interest in commenting on this further after he has had more time to review the content of the report. Henry L. Clarke, General Manager, Contra Costa Employees Association, Local I, commented on the 6 positions in the Central Control Center which are. in a bargaining unit where the employees should be allowed to vote on any proposed changes that could affect the status of their employment with the County. Board members discussed the issues relative to the County civilianizing certain positions in its detention system and the need to thoroughly review the report before making a decision. Board members requested information pertinent to Contra Costa County relative to what might be the anticipated staff turnover with civilians in certain detention system positions including salary differentials; consideration if Correctional Officers should be paid less than Deputy Sheriffs and employment classification of Correctional Officers in the detention system hierarchy; affirma- tive action consequences of civilianization of the County' s deten- tion system based on Santa Clara County' s experience; positive and negative positions if the County were to approve a combination of Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff positions similar to the Ventura County model or other models in the State; the immediate transition of civilianizing the 27 positions in the Sheriff ' s Department identified in the report, including impact on current staff; and what has been accomplished to date. Board members discussed the feasibility of scheduling on a Monday a joint meeting with the Finance Committee and Internal Operations Committee to receive testimony on the report. It was proposed that costs associated with the opening of the West County Detention Facility also be available at this joint meeting. Therefore, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the County Admin- istrator is REQUESTED to schedule a Monday workshop with the Finance Committee and Internal Operations Committee on utilization of civilian personnel in the County' s Detention System. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the County Administrator is RE- QUESTED to respond to questions raised by Board Members for pre- sentation at the workshop. Further, IT IS ORDERED that the County Administrator is REQUESTED to identify those .positions that could be civilianized, including those referenced in the report, for consideration at the workshop and preparation of the Sheriff ' s Budget for the 1989-1990 fiscal year. I hereby certify that this is,a true and corrv;c:^opy of an action taken and entered on the minutes 6f vne Board of Supervisors on the date shown. CC: County Administrator ATTESTED: Z�-�/ 9 � Sheriff-Coroner PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk.of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator