Kings County officials implemented a hiring freeze Tuesday as one of several measures to circumvent anticipated funding cuts from the state in the midst of a faltering economy. The county had already been on a limited or "soft" hiring freeze since July 1, the freeze affecting only positions that won't affect the basic level of service. No reduction in staffing levels were being considered.

Tuesday's Board of Supervisors' action to impose a "hard" hiring freeze changed that.

County Administrative Officer Larry Spikes says it's a necessary measure to protect the county's fiscal health in light of the worsening state budget crisis underscored last week by the governor's call for a special session to close the deficit. Never before in California history has a governor called an "extraordinary session" so late in the year.

"Of course our main goal is to maintain the basic level of service. We anticipate that would be redefined in large part by what Sacramento is going to do," Spikes said. "So we need to be prepared fopr downsizing if it comes to that. Hiring freeze is far more preferable than layoffs."

With the hard freeze, the county will freeze any vacancies that might come up in the coming year, although there will be some wiggle room.

The sheriff's department has already been granted a small exemption in the recruitment that is already in process. This was expressed during the meeting.

Other department heads were told they all have the right to appeal to the County Administrative Officer regarding some critical positions.

Regarding those positions in the sheriff's department or health and human services departments that are contracted positions funded by the state, Spikes said the county will continue to fill them -- as long as there is a reasonable prospect that the county will be reimbursed. But those positions will likely be filled internally, Spikes said.

In other board business:

Prison Healthcare

Supervisors on Tuesday were expected to take action on a proposed resolution opposing construction of a prison health care facility in San Joaquin County.

Instead, they agreed to take no action on the item, saying it's a San Joaquin County issue, not King County's.

The state is currently trying to build a 1,800-bed facility near Stockton as a result of a federal court ruling that found California's prison health care is so poor it violates the Constitution. San Joaquin County officials are opposing the project unless some issues are addressed by the state. They are afraid the project would put a strain on local government resources and drain county employees to higher-paying state jobs.

San Joaquin County was requesting all Valley counties to adopt a similar resolution.

Kings County supervisors said they do not believe their adopting a resolution would do little to sway the state to they mitigate local concerns. They said the action by the San Joaquin Valley Association of Counties was adequate.

Appointment

The board of supervisors voted 4-0 to appoint Robert Lohse, a Kings River-Hardwick School District Board member and a businessman, to a vacancy on the Hanford Cemetery District Board.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Nov. 19, 2008)