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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH / PERSONNEL / ADMINISTRATION - Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick
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Requested Action(s)
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a) AGREEMENT - Request approval and authorization for the Chair to sign an Employment Agreement with Tiara Branton for the position of Director of Environmental Health, effective 11/22/25 through 11/21/28
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Financial Impact:
The total salary, benefits, and roll-up costs for the first year of the employment agreement for the Director of Environmental Health at Step D is approximately $169,192.
Background Information:
Ms. Branton was hired as the Director of Environmental Health in 2022. Ms. Branton’s employment agreement is set to expire November 21, 2025. The proposed agreement is a three-year term with an expiration date of November 21, 2028. Ms. Branton is currently at Salary Step C of the established salary range for the Director of Environmental Health. Therefore, Ms. Branton shall be placed at Salary Step D in year one (1) of the employment agreement and Step E in year two (2) of the agreement.
The benefits contained in the employment 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).
Additionally, the proposed agreement clarifies Ms. Branton is considered a local miscellaneous member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), and a "Classic” employee as defined in the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013. It further stipulates Ms. Branton shall participate in the CalPERS 2% at 55 defined benefit program. Ms. Branton will be required to pay the employee member contribution equal to seven percent (7%) of her compensation up to the maximum limit established by CalPERS. The County will not pay any portion of this contribution on behalf of Ms. Branton.
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, Ms. Branton's salary will be increased by an equal percentage.
Without Board of Supervisor approval, Ms. Branton's employment agreement will expire on November 21, 2025.