County supervisors made an exception to their rule against offering retirement benefits for temporary employees in order to hire someone with expertise in the budget process to replace a management analyst III who retired at the end of December.
Interim County Administrative Officer Ray Espinosa asked supervisors on Tuesday to approve the hiring of a temporary management analyst and expressed the importance of making a quick hire as the person will be heavily involved in 2013-14 budget planning.
“This employee used to be in the auditor’s office,” said Jacki Credico, a management analyst, noting that the potential employee still has funds deposited in a Public Employee Retirement System fund. “Because she is already in PERS, we have to continue paying (retirement benefits) unless the retiree withdraws the funds.”
Credico described the person selected by the office as “subject matter expert who until a few years ago came back every year to help the auditor during the budget hearings.”
Credico said the county would be responsible for paying 12 percent of the retirement contribution, or $745 a month, while the employee would pay 7 percent. The appointment was expected to be for four to six months until a permanent employee could be hired.
“I just don’t like it,” Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz said.
He said he was concerned about other costs, such as raising the person’s retirement benefit if she receives a higher salary rate. PERS retirement benefits are based on the highest three years’ salary.
Supervisor Barrios said she would support the appointment because “we are now going into the 2013-14 budget and we need someone in there.”
Supervisor Robert Rivas said that he was hesitant to hire someone when he was not sure of the person’s qualifications.
“Do we know she can actually get the job done, aside from the share we have to pay?” he asked.
Credico reiterated that the former employee had worked several years in a management accounting position. She said the retired analyst also agreed to come in to train the new hire.
“Of the 15 candidates we reviewed this person was the most qualified,” Credico said.
Supervisor Jerry Muenzer noted that supervisors were already obligated to pay retirement benefits to the employee due to her previous employment with the county.
Supervisors approved the appointment unanimously.
