Staff has reviewed with Labor the current countywide employee recognition program, which includes carve-outs for the CCC Fire Protection and the Sheriff-Coroner agencies (attached). Staff verified that any change in these policies would require agreement through a Meet and Confer process with all affected bargaining groups. Rather than attempt to negotiate what would be a takeaway for many employees, for consistency and fairness staff recommends that department heads be reminded of the County’s countywide policy and coached to adhere to those policies. Per current practice, any exceptions to those countywide policies requiring departmental funding would require Board of Supervisors approval.