Title
Public Defender’s report on the status of its reorganization plan and Human Resources' recommended new classifications.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a) receive an update on the Public Defender's proposed reorganization plan;
b) recommend approval of new classifications of Chief Deputy Public Defender and Chief Public Defender Investigator;
c) recommend approval of adding allocations of 4.0 FTE Chief Deputy Public Defenders and 1.0 FTE Chief Public Defender Investigator.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Human Resources Department (HR) initiated the study of the Public Defender's reorganization plan in February of 2017. HR completed the study and recommendations include new classifications of Chief Deputy Public Defender (CDPD), 4.0 FTE, and Chief Public Defender Investigator (CPDI), 1.0 FTE. The CDPDs will report to the Assistant Public Defender, supervise the activities of designated defense units, and handle more difficult and complex criminal cases; and, the CPDI will also report to the Assistant Public Defender and manage the investigative unit of the Office.
These new classifications will be filled by a promotional competitive process within the Public Defender’s Office. The positions that fill these new classifications will be deleted resulting in no change in the Department’s FTE count. The Human Resources study determined the FY 2017-18 monthly salary at Step 7 of $15,471 for the Chief Deputy Public Defender and $13,279 for the Chief Public Defender Investigator.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources have recommended the new classifications. The CAO Budget office has reviewed this report.
FINANCING:
It is the intent of the Public Defender’s Office to absorb an estimated cost of this reorganization in the amount of $85,134 for the salary increases from promotions of existing staff. If the Public Defender’s Office is unable to absorb these costs, it is anticipated the Public Defender will request budget augmentation at mid-year budget modifications.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
ADMINISTRATION: Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management. Reorganization plan will provide strong responsiveness to our clients, justice partners and the community. It will reflect accountability and transparency throughout the Department.
PUBLIC SAFETY: Protect and defend the right to live in a society free of and safe from unlawful State interference, by vigorously defending individual rights.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Protect the mental and physical health of youths and adults unable to care for themselves by asserting their rights of access to effective healthcare, education, and behavioral health services. This will create a safe environment for our clients to achieve their potential, and allow our communities to thrive and grow and reduce recidivism.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Avoid unnecessary disruptions to employment and business activity by collaborating with our safety partners to keep our clients in nonviolent cases out of custody and in the workforce. The reorganization plan will facilitate communication and productivity between our safety partners, the courts and other departments within the County.
Prepared by: Emilie Espinosa, x5805
Approved by: Susan Chapman, Public Defender, x5806