REDDING, Calif. — Shasta County’s employment vacancy rate is on the decline, according to figures presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Support Services Director Monica Fugitt reported that the county’s overall vacant position rate is currently 14.5%, down from 15.5% last December and 18.1% in December 2023.
Fugitt highlighted significant improvements in the DSA unit, which includes deputies, sergeants, and district attorney investigators. The vacancy rate in this unit has decreased from 22% in 2022 to 11.5% now. “It is also worth noting that there has been marked improvement in vacancy rates in the DSA units, this is large in part to Sheriff Johnson and his team who has worked very hard to recruit and retain staff,” said Fugitt.
Several deputy district attorneys attended the meeting to advocate for higher pay to attract and retain staff, noting that Butte County offers $40,000 more annually. Supervisor Allen Long pointed out that there are six vacancies out of 28 positions in the district attorney’s office, resulting in a 21.4% vacancy rate. “22 employees out of 28 allocations, that is a 21.4% vacancy rate. which would trigger all of our reporting departments for the 20% but we don’t get into that because they fall into the UPEC professional group overall,” said Long.
Board Chair Kevin Crye expressed satisfaction with the recruitment efforts, noting that officers from nearby agencies are joining the sheriff’s office, a trend not seen in the past. “Our sheriff is killing it. The county recruitment people, your department is killing it, and I hate to use the word proud, but I am, I am so proud of this staff, this county, this leadership, this county council, and the direction this county is moving with the employees that are coming on,” said Crye.
The Board of Supervisors will commence three days of budget hearings starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. with an overview. The afternoon session will focus on non-public safety elected officials, including appointed Clerk and Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis. Wednesday’s session will cover Health and Human Services, followed by Public Safety, including the sheriff, county fire, district attorney, and probation, on Thursday.