Title
Chief Administrative Office, in coordination with the Chief Probation Officer Memorandum of Understanding Ad Hoc Committee, recommending the Board:
1) Approve the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5250 to specify that the Chief Probation Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors;
2) Waive full reading of the Ordinance, read by title only, and continue this matter to January 27, 2026, for Final Passage (Second Reading);
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, establishing the appointment and employment structure for the County of El Dorado Chief Probation Officer;
4) Approve and adopt the updated classification specification for Chief Probation Officer; and
5) Disband the Chief Probation Officer MOU Ad Hoc Committee that consisted of Supervisor Ferrero and Supervisor Laine that was formed to allow for Board input in the development of the MOU.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 26, 2025, with Legistar file 25-1512, following the retirement of the Chief Probation Officer, the Board established and appointed two members to a Chief Probation Officer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Ad Hoc Committee to work with staff and the Courts to clearly define each agency’s roles and responsibilities regarding the recruitment and employment of the Chief Probation Officer. The Chief Administrative Office, County Counsel, and Human Resources have met several times with the Court and staff, and the Ad Hoc Committee has reviewed the MOU concepts that have been proposed and discussed by the Court and staff. The discussions have resulted in a joint recommendation from staff, the Court, and the Ad Hoc committee to change the appointing authority for the position of Chief Probation Officer from the Court to the Board of Supervisors, with input from the Court. Currently, the Chief Probation Officer is appointed by the Court but is a County employee. This presents some ambiguity because it is unclear what authority the County, as the employer of record, has over the performance of the Chief Probation Officer. This change will align the County's responsibilities as the employer of record for the Chief Probation Officer with the power to appoint, discipline, and dismiss the incumbent.
This item will update the County ordinance to designate the Chief Probation Officer as a department head that is appointed by the Board, execute the negotiated MOU with the Courts, update the classification specification for Chief Probation Officer, and disband the Chief Probation Officer MOU Ad Hoc Committee. The MOU provides for strong collaboration with the Courts on the appointment and employment of the Chief Probation Officer and clearly delineate the roles of each party. The updated classification specification was developed in collaboration with the Courts to incorporate the changes in appointment and employment structure from the MOU and other minor updates.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board Could choose not to approve this item which would not allow for the updates to the appointment process of the Chief Probation Officer.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
08/26/2025 Legistar file 25-1512
12/09/2025 Legistar file 25-2001
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
Human Resources
Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact related to this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Chair signature on two copies of the MOU and return both copies to Chief Administrative Office for distribution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Sue Phillips, Interim Chief Administrative Officer