The Gustine City Council has voted to adopt measures required under Assembly Bill 2561, a state law addressing job vacancies in local government. Though the council complied with the mandate, members expressed reservations about the law’s impact on the city.

AB 2561, which became effective on January 1, 2025, requires public agencies to hold an annual public hearing to discuss job vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts. Agencies must also identify obstacles in their hiring processes and allow employee organizations to participate in these discussions. If vacancies in a single bargaining unit exceed 20%, additional reporting and analysis are required.

To comply with AB 2561, the City of Gustine has introduced the proposed Vacancy, Recruitment and Retention Public Hearing Policy ("Policy"), which establishes the framework for conducting the required public hearings. The Policy outlines requirements for presenting information on vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts, and any necessary changes to city policies or procedures. If the vacancy rate in any bargaining unit reaches 20% or more of authorized full-time positions, additional data will be provided upon request by the employee organization representing that unit.

The Policy also guarantees recognized employee organizations the legal entitlement to make presentations at the public hearing. It aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the community regarding the city's staffing practices. Additionally, it establishes protocols for the public hearings, detailing notice requirements for employee organizations, the order and length of presentations, and maintaining appropriate standards of discourse.

While councilmembers expressed concerns about the administrative burden and practicality of the new requirements, they emphasized the importance of compliance with state law. The city will schedule its first public hearing in the coming months, ahead of the council's budget adoption later this fiscal year, as required by the legislation.

Despite their reservations, the council committed to meeting the state's requirements while exploring solutions to improve staffing and reduce vacancies. The Policy reflects their effort to address local needs while navigating state-mandated obligations.