Title
District Attorney’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 028-2025 to approve the following:
a) Addition of 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Limited Term Chief of Innovation and Technology Transparency;
b) Addition of 1.0 FTE Chief Assistant District Attorney;
c) Addition of 1.0 FTE Lieutenant (District Attorney);
d) Addition of 1.0 FTE Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV; and
e) Addition of 1.0 FTE Special Investigator I/II; and
2) Direct staff to return to work with the Chief Administrative Office to include the deletion of 5.0 vacant allocations during the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget process.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney’s Office is looking to re-organize their office with the goal of prioritizing modernization and public trust and is recommending the Board adopt the enclosed resolution adding the following allocations to the department:
1) Add of 1.0 FTE Limited Term Chief of Innovation and Technology Transparency;
2) Add 1.0 FTE Chief Assistant District Attorney;
3) Add 1.0 FTE Lieutenant (District Attorney);
4) Add 1.0 FTE Deputy District Attorney I/II/III/IV; and
5) Add 1.0 FTE Special Investigator I/II.
The dedicated leadership roles elevate the importance of these areas, allowing for focused efforts on adopting new technologies, streamlining processes, and increasing openness. This restructuring will enhance collaboration, attract top talent, and improve the office's responsiveness to evolving challenges and community needs, ultimately leading to a more effective, efficient, and trustworthy justice system.
Specifically, the creation of the "Chief of Innovation and Transparency" position in the District Attorney's office would lead efforts to modernize practices and build public trust by embracing new technologies for investigation and data analysis, streamlining operations for efficiency, developing innovative approaches to crime, increasing openness through data sharing, promoting fairness by addressing biases, and ensuring accountability through performance tracking and oversight. This role signifies a commitment to a more effective, equitable, and transparent justice system.
Although the resolution attached adds a total of five positions to the department allocation, the department will include the deletion of five vacant positions in its FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget request, ultimately resulting in a net zero change in the total number of allocations for the department.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board opt not to adopt and approve the Board Chair to sign the resolution adding positions to the department’s allocation, the outcome may result in innovation stagnation and procedural inefficiencies.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources and County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended re-structure of the District Attorney’s Office bears no anticipated increase to Net County Cost. Projected salaries savings from current vacancies will be used to absorb any cost increases for the current Fiscal Year 2024-25. Adjustments have been included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 requested budget, which are also anticipated to result in no increase to Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon Board adoption and approval, Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the executed Resolution to Human Resources, Attn: Michael Reddin.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: Enhance Employee Retention
Action Item: Attract and retain the best employees by providing competitive compensation, training, and advancement opportunities, and creating a positive and thriving culture.
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney