[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6559158,"mediaKeyId","3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97","parentId",3216869,"title","Solano County supervisors authorize sheriff to negotiate temporary Vallejo policing contract; board requires quick timeline and cost protections","audioSeconds",5418,"startMs",7918000,"endMs",13336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97&start=7918&end=13336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97/thumbnail_7918000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559158/Solano-County/California/Solano-County-supervisors-authorize-sheriff-to-negotiate-temporary-Vallejo-policing-contract-board-requires-quick-timeline-and-cost-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559158-3139ca2e617d1d08b80e002a36e8f52c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069710&Signature=FG~6TjtzYG0RW7NHBexUkt02Awm8MBiZDDn45EY5w9mSfzNSmpUwNmyjEsTwoNTeNZ-sTXuzto9qLtr4azECOUTOtqdSs9h17WjlmQf~pzs6R3TQd5otoQBILWvLOP9SLHbVGN1SxTMvzKcoYpMhxg30eWP7~aA0pFj7s2SUdZ-5m2KTEYgtX-A70F7ZXrGVQszTfq6Os27zs5SmSYPMfoFBkqwDyyl7hFts~O4cdHAlHhKrG9Dx1PpSMAF-GOXiGg8XiV0whEGYRF2qGg6kiDEvWsermvcxiq~974nJLTjtf4315jIy8BZ746VqbHHGmnwyVmOWKpVFFghcoBxqoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T00:19:50Z","article","The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize Sheriff Tom Ferrara to negotiate a contract with the City of Vallejo to provide temporary law-enforcement patrols while Vallejo rebuilds its police staffing.

The vote — moved by Supervisor Cassandra James and seconded by Supervisor Williams — followed a multi-hour briefing from sheriff's staff about a service model that would place 17 full-time equivalent county personnel in Vallejo (one lieutenant, two sergeants, 12 deputy sheriffs and two dispatchers), operate 12-hour shifts seven days a week, and rely on a temporary CalPERS waiver providing retired annuitant staffing under Senate Bill 1379 (2024). Sheriff Ferrara said the county would seek full cost recovery from Vallejo and would not use county funds to subsidize the deployment.

Why it matters: Vallejo declared a public-safety staffing emergency in 2023 and has reported persistent vacancies and slow response times for some calls for service. Board members said the request carries urgency because the SB 1379 waiver allowing expanded retired-annuitant hours sunsets in January 2027, and county staff estimated the work needed to stand up the operation would be substantial and time-limited.

What the sheriff proposed and the board required
- Service model: Two operational teams covering roughly half Vallejo (estimated population ~64,000 in Sheriffs’ target beats), each led by a sergeant and overseen by a lieutenant. Deputies would focus on patrol response; major investigations would remain with Vallejo PD or other task forces as appropriate. John Robertson, the sheriff’s executive officer, said the office already answered over 1,000 calls in Vallejo in 2024 and conducted a range of task-force work there.
- Staffing mechanism: SB 1379 (emergency legislation enacted 2024) allows a temporary increase in retirees’ allowable hours for the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff said the bill made the deployment feasible and noted the measure was a key precondition.
- Timeline conditions required by the sheriff’s team: the county must receive an initial start-up payment (insurance/liability reserve and equipment prepayment) within 15 days of contract execution and the contract must be returned to the Board of Supervisors for approval by June 24, 2025, to permit a January 2026 launch and to realize a meaningful 12‑month window under the SB 1379 waiver. The sheriff said failure to meet those deadlines would lead him to recommend against proceeding.
- Cost estimates presented to the board (county staff emphasized these are estimates and would be refined in contract talks): roughly $1.9 million for insurance and liability (including a $1 million reserve refundable if unused), about $1.4 million in one-time start-up equipment and vehicle outfitting costs (eight patrol vehicles, radios, body cameras, tasers, and weapons), and approximately $7.8–8.0 million in first‑year operating costs (salaries, benefits, relief positions, relief overtime, vehicle maintenance, fuel, crime-analysis software and administrative overhead). Lisa Donahue, the sheriff’s administrative-services director, said those amounts include indirect administrative overhead for county departments that will support the effort (HR, Fleet, DOIT, County Counsel and others).

Board concerns and clarifications
Board members pressed the sheriff’s team on operational details, including how command promotions would be handled (the sheriff suggested limited-term promotions or use of retired supervisors if necessary), who would cover deputy overtime and court appearances (the sheriff said the county would invoice Vallejo monthly for court overtime and other contract-specific costs), interoperability with existing radio systems and the cost and timing required to add Abrexa/800‑MHz radio licensing, and the potential impacts to unincorporated areas if county patrol resources were committed to Vallejo.

Quotes from the record
- \"I want to do it this way, make it safe for the deputies, provide a good service to the community,\" Sheriff Tom Ferrara said when describing his preferred deployment model.
- \"SB 1379 was a critical part of the sheriff’s office ability to offer assistance to the city of Vallejo,\" John Robertson said, summarizing the legislative background that enabled the plan.
- \"The total vacancy rate is 11.4%,\" Nija Edwards, Solano County Human Resources director, told the board while reviewing countywide staffing pressures that framed the discussion about whether the county could surge personnel.

Next steps and conditions placed by the board
The board voted to authorize the sheriff to proceed with contract negotiations, subject to: (1) return of a draft contract to the Board of Supervisors for consideration no later than June 24, 2025; (2) written confirmation or assurances required by county counsel regarding the county’s legal exposure under any Department of Justice settlement affecting Vallejo; (3) receipt of the initial start-up funds (insurance, liability reserve and equipment) within 15 days of contract execution; and (4) clear mutual‑aid, labor‑relations and worker‑safety language in the contract. Sheriff Ferrara and county staff said they will begin negotiations immediately.

Context and open questions
County staff and board members repeatedly emphasized the short timeline: equipment procurement, radio licensing, recruitment or assignment of personnel, payroll coding and onboarding, and interagency coordination are all time‑consuming tasks. Several board members asked the sheriff to develop a parallel plan B (what the county would do if contract negotiations or deadlines fail) because of the potential countywide impacts if resources are committed and later withdrawn. The board did not adopt a contract at this hearing; it only authorized negotiations.

Outcome
Motion to authorize the sheriff to negotiate a contract with the City of Vallejo: moved by Supervisor Cassandra James, seconded by Supervisor Williams; vote 5-0 (Mashburn, Brown, Williams, Vasquez, James).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors 05-06-25 Meeting 1 of 1","oneSentenceSummary","The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize Sheriff Tom Ferrara to negotiate a contract with the City of Vallejo to provide temporary law-enforcement patrols while Vallejo rebuilds its police staffing.","taxTitle","Solano County, California","taxId",3563,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6559149,"Board adopts multiple proclamations honoring correctional and peace officers, childcare providers and older Americans",2952,312000,3264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97&start=312&end=3264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6559149/Solano-County/California/Board-adopts-multiple-proclamations-honoring-correctional-and-peace-officers-childcare-providers-and-older-Americans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559149-2c6e0da20ebda08ef76d8e1e1ce9f1b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069710&Signature=J568L3xyeMejtgUZfwb3-Fjep1jylaOgP9gkVPqu9T5OxUQTfRyrs4y7aWpPAc6eG8o63Kgm9RjuVz3hGHLIuCqGW3VPVpc0T6kKHrghhmkwCuRJFwZXgOlUVLF17aIFU2bQAAtk-103m-apKjRy4t1GBjyw7ritAfjyLavz1FQAxlHhIPCz5QRh6L-P1ar2P-bQYfbR4NayP49zqvvQ7upu-HS11g8n60~grAEZVNjfiP-v2sS5utjRajzAltJGcNfJdAqH6jI41Y6Ip63wn5JTxZMRXSIdBQfUzIZiPrrgEuF5cKuqtB6gEFz0on2sYU4rhNfdPD-vaa3iVgGFsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Solano County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a package of ceremonial resolutions honoring county safety personnel, childcare providers and older adults.

The board voted 5-0 to adopt proclamations recognizing May 4–10, 2025 as Correctional Officers and Correctional Employees Appreciation Week and May 9, 2025 as Childcare Provider Appreciation Day; it also approved a resolution for the 63rd annual commemoration of Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 7) and National Police Officer Appreciation Week (May 11–17) and a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month.

Why it matters: These are ceremonial actions the board uses to acknowledge community service. Several department leaders and community representatives used the presentations as opportunities to highlight programs and service needs.

Highlights from presentations
- Correctional staff: Chair Mashburn and Undersheriff Brad Duwall recognized long service in the sheriff’s corrections division, vocational training at the Rourke Vocational Training Center, the county correctional academy (graduated its sixth class), and Corrections Officer of the Year Dan \"Chappie\" Chapman, a 22‑year veteran. The board commended correctional staff for rehabilitative and vocational programs and peer‑support work.
- Peace officers: Sheriff Tom Ferrara reviewed Solano County’s fallen officers and the range of sheriff’s-office roles that include patrol, coroner, boat patrol and regional mutual‑aid efforts. Ferrara invited the public to a memorial ceremony for Officer Matthew Bowen, a Vacaville officer killed in the line of duty, and singled out deputies working in court, coroner and enforcement roles.
- Childcare: Alicia Gutierrez (First 5 Solano) and Kathy Lago (Solano Family & Children's Services) spoke for childcare providers and described local programs: the county has more than 550 licensed providers and over 1,400 license‑exempt providers; recent local efforts helped 64 new family child‑care providers create about 482 child care spaces. Speakers emphasized child‑care's role in workforce and economic stability and announced provider appreciation events and training supports.
- Older Americans Month: Gwendolyn Gill (Health Services administrator for Older and Disabled Adult Services) summarized county services and encouraged community recognition; the board highlighted local agencies and the Napa‑Solano Area Agency on Aging.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution recognizing Correctional Officers and Employees Appreciation Week (May 4–10, 2025): approved 5-0.
- Resolution recognizing May 7, 2025 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11–17 as National Police Officer Appreciation Week: approved 5-0.
- Resolution proclaiming May 9, 2025 as Childcare Provider Appreciation Day: approved 5-0.
- Resolution recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month: approved 5-0.

Context: The ceremonial actions were accompanied by departmental presentations on programs, workforce and community needs. Several speakers used the occasion to urge continued county and community support for training, recruitment and service funding.","The Solano County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a set of ceremonial resolutions recognizing Correctional Officers and Employees Appreciation Week, Peace Officers Memorial Day/National Police Officer Appreciation Week, Childcare Provider Appreciation Day, and Older Americans Month.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6559154,"County HR reports 11.4% vacancy rate, cites long recruitment times for nurses and physicians; outlines new hiring tools and incentives",337,9977000,10314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97&start=9977&end=10314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216869-8f606628ffced4b5c5c2a890fb25ae97/thumbnail_9977000.jpg","/articles/6559154/Solano-County/California/County-HR-reports-114-vacancy-rate-cites-long-recruitment-times-for-nurses-and-physicians-outlines-new-hiring-tools-and-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559154-5c0772a0c42d0414c6bb7ab12bf2dcf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069710&Signature=TUDp3fl8Wqvbv1y6knOL8Qvpqtqw~XM49Iw6M8cSPnOfN5q6EqGPE6gB6Mz2b5MF4GMlRExih8pyujSF4~PeC4Uj0~VId1oe887lP0CFEvYEWyg1tlghOihHQYmhBv1ZOP3cawz3YNSwQGpp7sdnIeyuZR6F9ntGMymrIGyw4br50Iy1ldVAUxDJk-T4TB-EFS7pLsuYyJygPJlmC15ItKFofjT7aJi4~j8jU1vfpMyhv9ouLQ9CadrFbdrIEGxm8XFKtDntU~~5sYhVLDMHJUqPlSdFFpF8YC8Z0leyBZ27z71aymC-8OfITnjkQM7NddVlTcUs584GYSzf7S8UyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Solano County’s human-resources director told the Board of Supervisors the county’s overall vacancy rate was 11.4% as of the February pay period and highlighted persistent recruitment challenges in nursing and specialized clinical roles.

Nija Edwards, Human Resources director, presented data showing that units representing nurses (Unit 2) and physician/psychiatrist/dental classifications (Unit 11) were the only bargaining units exceeding a 20% vacancy threshold. Edwards said the average time to fill a senior public-health nurse posting was about 305 days and that some specialty recruitments had produced few eligible candidates despite dozens of applications.

Why it matters: county departments that provide clinical health, behavioral health and jail medical services rely on hard-to-find professional classifications. Prolonged vacancies can increase overtime, reduce service levels and push costs to contractors or locum providers.

Details presented
- Vacancy snapshot: an overall county vacancy rate of about 11.4% (figures presented were as of Feb. 28, 2025). For the period March 1, 2024–Feb. 28, 2025, Edwards reported roughly 320 external new hires and 542 internal moves (promotions, transfers), with 302 terminations (including retirements and resignations).
- High‑vacancy classifications: Unit 2 (nurses) and Unit 11 (psychiatrists, clinic physicians and dentists) are over the 20% threshold; senior public‑health nurse recruitments averaged 305 days to fill from posting to hire on the recruitments listed for 2024.

Recruitment and retention actions HR described
- New applicant platform: countywide shift to NeoGov/GovernmentJobs to broaden applicant visibility outside local passive posts.
- Active recruiting and career‑fair expansion: HR said it has moved from virtual to in‑person career fairs and plans more targeted outreach, including junior‑high and community‑college engagement to present public service career paths earlier.
- Financial incentives and grant support: managed‑care recruitment/retention grants were described that include multi‑year sign-on/retention components (example: a clinic physician package described as approximately $100,000 spread over five years), relocation assistance (up to $5,000 cited) and step‑placement flexibility on hire to make offers more competitive.
- Workforce development: internships, foster‑youth pathways, military transition programs, tuition reimbursement (up to $5,000 annually), leadership and mentoring programs and an inclusive‑workforce study to surface retention barriers.

Board questions and public comments
Supervisors asked whether the county could do more active national recruiting and whether professional associations could help HR better identify candidate pipelines. Edwards said the county historically used passive posts but is moving toward more active outreach, and that doing so would require investment in tools and staff time. Public commenters representing SEIU and county departments described burnout, overwork, and lateral contracting that they said pushes work away from in‑house staff and harms morale.

What HR said about causes
Edwards cited several structural market forces: a tight labor market, post‑COVID retirement and relocation patterns in California, competition from private sector employers, and a national shortage in some health occupations. She also referenced a Berkeley Labor Center report (2020–2023) for statewide context on vacancy causes.

Concluding direction
The board received the presentation; no action was required or taken. Supervisors asked HR to return with cost estimates for more active recruitment tools and to continue coordination with affected departments and unions.","Solano County Human Resources reported an 11.4% overall vacancy rate as of late February 2025, with nursing (Unit 2) and physician/psychiatrist/dental classifications (Unit 11) exceeding 20% vacancy. HR described new tools (NeoGov), recruitment grants, relocation stipends and step‑placement flexibility to shorten hiring times.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Solano County supervisors authorize sheriff to negotiate temporary Vallejo policing contract; board requires quick timeline and cost protections

Board adopts multiple proclamations honoring correctional and peace officers, childcare providers and older Americans

County HR reports 11.4% vacancy rate, cites long recruitment times for nurses and physicians; outlines new hiring tools and incentives