Personnel Board of Merced - Regular Meeting Summary, June 8, 2026

The Personnel Board of Merced, California, convened at 12:00 PM on June 8, 2026. The meeting included roll call (three members present, one absent), approval of the consent calendar, a monthly HR report, a discussion of job description qualification language, and an update on a recruitment. No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned after routine approvals and dialogue.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the consent calendar without discussion. No items were pulled for separate consideration.

Discussion Items

• Monthly HR Report: Christopher, a staff member, presented the recruitment and hiring statistics for May 2026. Key data included: nine recruitments closed (e.g., account clerk, assistant planner, dispatcher, tree trimmer, etc.), eight new hires (five full-time: two admin assistants, two custodians, one park worker; three temporary: temp safety coordinator, temp pool manager, temp recreation leader), and four full-time separations (one probationary release of a refuse operator, two resignations of a fire engineer and an IT systems technician, and one termination of a sewer storm drain worker). Total city workforce reported as 591 employees (509 full-time, 82 temporary). The board voted unanimously to accept and approve the report.
• Discussion on Job Description Language: A board member raised a concern about the qualification phrase "can learn your job within a short period of time" used in several job descriptions (cyber security, software analyst, associate planner, senior accountant, assistant accountant, and tree trimmer). The member asked why an assigned timetable was not included, noting that supervisors should know an average learning period. Christopher explained that all new city employees are on a 12-month probationary period (18 months for public safety), with evaluations at six months and one year. Departments can extend probation up to six months for credential requirements. He also noted that the Personnel Rules and Regulations (established around 1996) are currently undergoing legal review to modernize them. The board member expressed satisfaction with the explanation.
• Recruitment Update: A board member asked about the senior accountant assigned to payroll recruitment, noting it had closed and been reposted. Christopher confirmed that the recruitment was unable to establish an employment list (at least three qualified candidates), so it had reopened. The finance department is reviewing applications for a second round of recruitment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously.
• Monthly HR Report – Approved unanimously with a motion and second, all in favor.
• Discussion on Qualifications – No formal action taken; the board received clarification and expressed satisfaction.
• Recruitment Update – Noted ongoing efforts; no vote required.
• Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent after no further business.