San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - September 5, 2025

The Civil Service Commission held a closed session and regular meeting on September 5, 2025, at 10:15 AM. The closed session addressed labor negotiations and two employment disqualification appeals. The regular session included approval of the consent agenda, a report on closed session actions, a review of FY2027 salary proposals, the 2024 Equal Employment Opportunity Annual Report, and an update from the Personnel Director on hiring process improvements.

Closed Session Report

• Labor Negotiations: Conference with labor negotiators under California Government Code Section 54957.6 to review the city's position on proposed revisions to Personnel Manual Index Code D3. Nothing to report.
• Appeal of Employment Disqualification – Nicosha S. Williams: Appeal of conviction record disqualification for the position of Recreation Leader 1. Motion to deny the appeal passed 4-0. Commissioner Fan was absent.
• Appeal of Employment Disqualification – Elton L. Wilson: Appeal of conviction record disqualification for the position of Heavy Truck Driver 1. Motion to grant the appeal passed 4-0. Commissioner Fan was absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Closed Session: An anonymous member of the public spoke against hiring Elton L. Wilson, stating they knew he was still involved with drugs and had helped him pass a drug test. The commenter urged the commission not to hire him.
• Non-Agenda Public Comment: No public comment was offered during the regular session.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved by a unanimous vote (Commissioner Freeman, Merrill, Moore, and President Bortio all voting yes; Commissioner Fan absent).

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Review of FY2027 Salary Proposals: Staff reported that eight proposals were submitted by departments and employee organizations, and the Personnel Department identified 18 additional classifications for study. Staff recommended all proposals be approved for further study. The commission voted to approve the review. (Item 22 was withdrawn by the Fire Department.)
• Item 10 – 2024 Equal Employment Opportunity Annual Report: Staff presented the report comparing calendar year 2023 and 2024 data. As of December 2024, total city employees increased from 12,823 to 13,372. The city met or exceeded city population availability in almost all categories. Discussion included concerns about underrepresentation in fire and lifeguard classifications, and the need for departments to maintain recruitment efforts if Personnel Department events are reduced. Staff committed to working with departments and the Independent Budget Analyst. The commission accepted the report.
• Item 11 – Personnel Director Update: David Dallager reported on improvements to the hiring process: expansion of medical evaluation locations to 13 Concentra sites across San Diego County, a live electronic scheduling system, and a pilot program with six departments (the outstation model) to accelerate hiring. The pilot was extended through the end of 2025 to gather sufficient data. Discussion covered efforts to reduce the time from vacancy to certification (targeting two weeks), use of NeoGov, mandatory training for interview panel chairs, and closing the loop with candidates. No vote was required.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: Two appeals were decided: Nicosha S. Williams' appeal was denied (4-0); Elton L. Wilson's appeal was granted (4-0).
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Item 9: Motion to approve the review of FY2027 salary proposals passed unanimously.
• Item 10: The 2024 EEO Annual Report was accepted by the commission.
• Item 11: The Personnel Director's update was received; no formal action taken.
• The meeting adjourned at the conclusion of Item 11.