Logo courtesy of City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At its June 24 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council held a public hearing on staff vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts. Human Resources Manager Melissa Rojas explained that this annual presentation is required by Assembly Bill 2561, which aims to address issues with employee workload and effective delivery of public services by local governments. 

Presented prior to budget adoption for the new fiscal year, the report identifies any changes to policies, procedures and recruitment that could be necessary to reduce hiring challenges. Additional obligations go into effect if any bargaining unit exceeds a 20% vacancy level. However, for 2025 the city had an average vacancy rate of 10.47%. 

The city’s workforce comprises general staff (43%), police employees (19%) and police officers (38%). 

Current vacancies include one open position in the city manager’s office, three in administration, six in general services and 17 in the police department (12 of which are officer positions). The community development department and the economic development and community engagement department are each fully staffed. 

Rojas said employee retention efforts include competitive pay and benefits, alternative work schedules to promote work-life balance, development and training programs, and wellness and recognition programs. 

The city has faced challenges with difficult-to-fill position, said Rojas, such as licensed engineers and sworn police officers. Outreach efforts aim to encourage lateral transfers in the police department to streamline the recruitment process. 

The council accepted the report, and no action was required. 

The council then considered the mid-cycle budget review for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, as the city operates on a two-year budget. 

Sales tax is the General Fund’s largest source of revenue, and it came in lower than projected for this fiscal year, due to high inflation and tariffs. But expenditures were also lower, mostly due to staffing vacancies. Updated projections reflect General Fund revenues of $47.8 million, covering expenditures of $46.1 million — with a projected $1 million year-end increase to General Fund reserves. This results in a surplus of $3.8 million, increasing the General Fund reserves to a projected ending balance of $36.5 million.

For the 2026-27 fiscal year, projected revenues are $47 million and expenditures are $46 million. Ending reserves are projected to hit $33.7 million expected, after allocating some reserves into street repairs.

Councilmember Schaefer pointed out that in addition to the $4 million for streets that will come from the General Fund, another $8 million is allocated from other restricted funds — for a total of $12 million invested in street repair. 

Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff encouraged residents to shop local so their sales tax will go to the city for reinvestment in the community. 

The council voted 4-0 to approve the budget review, with Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton absent.