Board approves short-term extension to retain extra-help sheriff employee for CAT system upgrade

Sheriff’s Department officials asked the Board to allow an extension of extra-help employment for Jose (Joe) Ayala from 90 to 180 days and to waive retirement separation so Ayala can support technical work on the CAT system and system integration testing.

Susan Barley, speaking for the Sheriff’s office, described Ayala’s role in testing and integrating the department’s CAT and mapping systems and said his 17 years of experience are difficult to transfer to a new employee quickly. Staff acknowledged the budgetary question but said even if Ayala used all granted hours the department would remain below its budgeted extra-help cap.

Supervisor discussion focused on balancing retention of technical expertise with fiscal responsibility. The Board voted unanimously to approve the extension and waiver.

Ending

The Sheriff’s Department will reassign Ayala as requested and proceed with integration and testing work; no additional staffing action was taken at this meeting.