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PERSONNEL / ADMINISTRATION - Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) AGREEMENT - Request approval and authorization for the Chair to sign an Employment Agreement with Joseph Tona for the position of Air Pollution Control Officer, effective 10/1/25 through 9/30/28
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Financial Impact:
The total salary, benefits, and roll-up costs for the first year of the new contract is approximately $173,337.
Background Information:
Mr. Tona was hired as the Air Pollution Control Officer in 2016. Mr. Tona’s employment agreement is set to expire September 30, 2025. The proposed agreement is a three-year term with an expiration date of September 30, 2028. The agreement includes a three percent (3%) salary increase annually for each year of the agreement.
The benefits contained in the agreement reflect the standard benefits provided in department head contracts which include a cell phone allowance of $60 per month, 240 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO) per year, 40 hours of Management Time Off per fiscal year, one (1) personal holiday per fiscal year, Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave and participation in County sponsored Deferred Compensation plan on the same terms as employees in the Tehama County Management Employees Association (TCMEA).
In addition to the standard benefits, Section 13: Professional Development was added which specifies the County shall budget and pay for Mr. Tona’s travel subsistence expenses for professional and official travel, meetings and occasions to continue professional development and to adequately pursue necessary official and other functions for the County, including but not limited to the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, and the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies. Further, language was added to Section 15: Termination and Severance Pay stating that Mr. Tona shall not be terminated or removed during the first one hundred eighty (180) days following any change in the membership of the Board of Supervisors or without the unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors.
Additionally, the proposed agreement clarifies Mr. Tona is considered a local miscellaneous member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), and a "New” employee as defined in the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 and stipulates Mr. Tona shall participate in the CalPERS 2% at 62 defined benefit program. Mr. Tona will be required to pay the employee member contribution equal to eight percent (8%) of his compensation up to the maximum limit established by CalPERS. The County will not pay any portion of this contribution on behalf of Mr. Tona.
This is a contract, overtime exempt position. In the event the County of Tehama agrees to a percentage increase in salary after the effective date of this contract, for all classifications represented by TCMEA, Mr. Tona's salary will be increased by an equal percentage.
Without Board of Supervisor approval, Mr. Tona's employment agreement will expire on September 30, 2025.