The Lassen County supervisors have approved to stay competitive in a failing job market by approving an across-the-board ten percent raise for county employees.
As of January, the bureau of labor statistics reporting a three and a half percent unemployment rate, the lowest level in over 50 years, and employers like the county continue to struggle to find staffing for critical positions. Yet, with the increase, the county hopes this will change. Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon and Health and Social Services Director Barbar Longo share their support saying it is long overdue and desperately needed to maintain strong leadership and attract and retain qualified employees.
County Administrator Richard Egan said the increase addressed inflation, increasing the county’s annual payroll by 2 million dollars. However, much of that will be absorbed in the budget by the sheer number of vacancies the county currently holds.
Supervisor Neely expressed his concerns that the vacancies were being used to afford the wage increases. Still, Egan assured the supervisors that the wage increase has been accounted for over the next two years and adjusted to accommodate fully staffed departments.
Six of the employee unions receiving the increase, such as the deputies sheriffs association and peace officers association, will have to renegotiate in 2024.
