Salary costs are included within the Department's budget. The total cost for the requested period is approximately $80,504.

The Public Employee Pension Reform Act of 2013 requires that active members who retire on or after January 1, 2013 must wait 180 days after retirement before returning to work as a temporary employee. The Act also allows the Board, based on a finding that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position, to waive the 180 day "sit-out" period.  
  
Ms. Ramirez retired from County service on February 25, 2023. She was hired in the Assessor's Office over 35 years ago. When she retired, Ms. Ramirez had over 23 years of experience in the Residential Division and over 21 years of experience as a Senior Real Property Technical Assistant. In her position, Ms. Ramirez was responsible for the acquisition, management and drawing of all residential plans for additions and new residential construction in east and central county. It is crucial that these tasks be completed so that appraisal staff in the Residential Division may value and complete new construction activities.   
  
The Division’s current workload is greater than prior roll years due to an increase in sales and new construction throughout the County. The Residential Division has been short-staffed, resulting in a large backlog of work. Ms. Ramirez is experienced and qualified to perform the necessary tasks to ensure the Department meets the State's requirement to deliver the assessment roll by July of each year. Due to staff shortages and an increased workload, the Department would like to hire Ms. Ramirez as a temporary employee from March 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024 to assist in the close of the assessment roll and to help complete the backlog of work.

Failure to receive Board approval will create additional strain on existing staff in the Residential Division and could increase the risk that the Department will be unable to certify the assessment roll by the State’s deadline.