DATE: February 10, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Joe Prado, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Waiver of Extra Help Maximum Hours
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Authorize a waiver of the 28 hours per week and 960 hours per calendar year maximum hours limitation for one (1) Extra-Help Public Health Physician in the Department of Public Health, Org 5620, pursuant to the provisions set forth in Salary Resolution, section 1100 and Personnel Rules 2040 and 4240.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will ensure the Department of Public Health (Department) has adequate oversight of jail medical services and a medical consult available to provide guidance as needed for communicable diseases. If approved, this waiver would be effective February 16, 2026, for the 2026 calendar year. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action due to the number of projects stemming from the increase of emergent communicable diseases and the need for jail medical services oversight. Should your Board not approve this request, there will be an increased burden on other program and administrative staff which could result in adverse impacts to other program areas.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On January 13, 2015, and June 7, 2016, the Board reiterated County policy that the use of Extra-Help employees should:
• be of limited duration;
• not be used as a first response to staffing requirements;
• not supplant work regularly performed by permanent employees; and
• only be used to meet the critical, seasonal, or temporary work needs of departments on a limited basis.
On June 7, 2016, the Board approved Salary Resolution Amendments that provided departments with the requested flexibility, while limiting the use of most Extra-Help employees. As provided in those Amendments, the Department is requesting a waiver of the 28 hours per week and 960 hours per calendar year maximum hours limitation for one (1) extra-help Public Health Physician as listed on Attachment A due to the staffing needs.
As an extra-help Public Health Physician, Dr. Zweifler oversees medical services in the Fresno County Jail and Juvenile Justice Center and completes the required yearly jail inspections. Dr. Zweifler also provides medical consultation to the Department’s Communicable Disease Investigation team and assists with developing health advisories.
Although Dr. Zweifler does not consistently exceed the extra-help hours maximum, the Department would like to have the waiver in place to allow him to assist with public health emergencies, as necessary.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Attachment A
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander