SUBJECT
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APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND APPROVING TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT COMPENSATION FOR THE ACTING CAO (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) retired on March 30, 2023 and returned shortly after to serve as the County’s interim CAO as a retiree-rehire. As a retired member of San Diego County Employees’ Retirement Association (SDCERA), she cannot exceed 960 working hours in a fiscal year and therefore, it is anticipated her last day of employment will be January 9, 2024. An active recruitment for the CAO position has been ongoing, but a permanent appointment will not be made before the current interim’s CAO departure. Today’s recommendation is for the Board to appoint Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Sarah Aghassi, as the temporary Acting CAO and approve a temporary compensation increase for Ms. Aghassi in accordance with the County Compensation Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS
1. Approve the temporary assignment and appointment of Sarah Aghassi as Acting Chief Administrative Officer, commencing January 10, 2024.
2. Approve a temporary base salary increase for Sarah Aghassi equal to 10% of her current salary rate while serving as Acting Chief Administrative Officer pursuant to Section 3.2.5(d) of the Compensation Ordinance.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for carrying out the Board of Supervisors’ policy decisions, supervising the affairs of the County, and coordinating the function and operations of the County. The CAO exercises the Board's administrative supervision over all organizational units within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, including the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards and Office of Equity and Racial Justice. Today’s action will ensure continuity of operations under the supervision of the Acting CAO, including effective implementation of the Board’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action provides stability and continuity in County operations and in carrying out the Board of Supervisors’ sustainability initiatives until a new appointee is prepared to fully assume the functions of the Office of Chief Administrative Officer. With Ms. Aghassi’s institutional knowledge, experience, and professional relationships, the Office of Chief Administrative Officer will continue to align the County’s available resources with services to maintain fiscal stability, as well as ensuring the capability of the County to respond and recover to the immediate needs of the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding source is General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years until a new Chief Administrative Officer begins employment. There will be a short-term 10% increase to the base salary rate of Ms. Aghassi as compensation for temporary assignment to a higher classification. This temporary compensation will increase Ms. Aghassi’s base salary rate to $355,721.60 per year and is consistent with the provisions of the County’s Compensation Ordinance.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
On March 30, 2023, County of San Diego’s current Chief Administrative Officer retired from her position. The County initiated a recruitment to permanently fill the position of CAO. In the interim, the former CAO returned as a retiree-rehire to serve as an interim CAO, but is limited to working no more than 960 hours in the fiscal year which is now fast approaching. It is anticipated that the recruitment, onboarding and transition to a new Chief Administrative Officer will require additional time. In the meantime, the County needs an experienced and knowledgeable acting CAO who will ensure smooth continuity of County operations and the Board’s policy initiatives.
The CAO performs the overall management in maximizing the capacity of County government to deliver a wide variety of services meeting the social, health, and safety needs of the County’s citizens; and provides program and financial decision-making support to the Board of Supervisors. Sarah Aghassi has served as a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer since November 2010, and has over 18 years in County employment. Ms. Aghassi possesses strong institutional knowledge and experience to effectively discharge the duties of CAO.
The County’s Compensation Ordinance provides that an Executive Management employee may receive a rate up to 10% higher than their current rate of pay, not to exceed twelve months, to perform the duties of a classification with a higher salary rate. Today’s action will provide temporary compensation for Ms. Aghassi’s assignment to Acting CAO that is commensurate with her professional skills, knowledge and experience.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s recommended action supports the Empower Strategic Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by optimizing the County’s available resources with services to maintain governance stability and ensure continuity of operations.
Respectfully submitted,
nora vargas
Chairwoman, First District
ATTACHMENT(S)
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