Chair Lee on impact of 76 eliminated vacant positions

Okay.

We were able to meet the target.

What was the average length that the positions had remained vacant prior to being removed?

And then also what other factors contributed to the department's inability to fill the positions originally?

Yeah, I mean, there's no single answer.

I mean, as you know, our agency does so many different things.

So the hiring issues that are in environmental health are very different than the hiring issues in the school health.

And so it's just not really a one-size-fits-all answer.

But in general, I mean, we're looking at positions that were vacant for upwards of two years.

Got it.

Okay.

Two years or more.

Okay.

And although the administration states that there will be no programmatic impact, how will responsibilities previously associated with the positions be absorbed or redistributed?

And how would that look like considering that the positions were never filled?

Yeah, I mean, it's a good question.

It's a natural question.

I think we're doing our best to absorb as we have.

I mean, we have, as a city, every agency's had a lot of experience with us over the past few years.

This vacancy reduction was not nearly as painful, at least, as the one several years ago.

So I think we have some experience in how to absorb those.

And it's always easier to absorb and redirect that work when it's not sort of public-facing.

And also not currently, there's a current staff member there.

Exactly.

Right.

And I know the answer to the next question, but...

Just for the record.

So I'm assuming that among the eliminated positions, were any of them connected to public health emergency preparedness, data modernization, health equity initiatives, or federally funded programs?

Generally, no.

I mean, I think we certainly made every effort to focus on things that were more back office functions, if we have to group them together, things like data analysts or program specialists or office support.

Okay.