Logo courtesy of the City of Marysville

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – The Marysville City Council has unanimously approved funding for a full-time human resources director, resolving the final issue left unsettled June 30 when it adopted the proposed 2026-27 budget.

The vote ended a weeks-long disagreement over whether the city should hire a permanent HR director or continue relying on contract services.

Finance Director Anissa Leung's spending plan included the new position, but council members deadlocked over the added cost while agreeing on the remainder of the fiscal plan, requiring a special meeting to reach a final decision.

The proposed $13.73 million General Fund budget directs about $4.4 million to police services, $1.36 million to general city operations, $535,000 to legal services, $532,000 to human resources and $525,000 to finance, while also supporting the City Council, City Manager's Office, community development, public works administration and other municipal functions. Combined with enterprise, special revenue and other operating funds, the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget totals about $19.9 million, including approximately $4.3 million for wastewater operations.

City Manager Jim Schaad said at a July 14 special meeting that the city could not delay the HR decision because current Human Resources Director John Perry's final day is at the end of the month.

"We do have some urgency in determining how we fund this position," Schaad said.

Schaad said Marysville's human resources responsibilities have evolved from duties handled within the city manager's office into a stand-alone function. Perry initially worked as a consultant before moving into a retired-annuitant position because of CalPERS requirements. With Perry leaving, the city had to decide whether to continue contracting for HR services or hire a permanent director.

The proposed job includes funding of up to $213,340 in salary and benefits. Schaad said the city expects to hire below the top of the salary range while continuing negotiations with the Linda Fire Protection District on sharing the cost of human resources services.

Schaad said a full-time employee would provide substantially more on-site service than a consultant at a comparable cost while improving continuity and responsiveness.

"I don't think we will get the same team relationship with a consultant," Schaad said. "When you have a full-time dedicated person ... it promotes that organizational continuity and teamwork."

Mayor Chris Branscum questioned whether the city should move forward before completing negotiations with the Linda Fire Protection District over sharing a portion of the expense.

Schaad responded that employing a full-time HR director would still cost less than relying on consultants, even if the fire district reimbursed only part of the expense.

The council ultimately authorized the funding, approved the related budget adjustments and added the human resources director to the city's permanent staffing allocation.

"Let's hope this really works," Branscum said before voting in favor of the proposal.