REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  May  23, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - General Government-3.

SUBJECT:

Swanson and Associates Agreement for Investigative Services

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Shelley Forbes, Assistant Director of Support Services, (530) 225-5515

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Shelley Forbes, Assistant Director of Support Services

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a renewal agreement with John Swanson, d.b.a. Swanson and Associates, in an amount not to exceed $240,000 over the entire term of the agreement to provide investigative services to Risk Management effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 with two automatic one-year renewals.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

Risk Management has many occasions to use investigative services in the administration of its self insured workers’ compensation and liability programs.  This proposed action will renew the contract with the current provider for three years.

Since 2001 Shasta County Risk Management has utilized the services of Swanson and Associates for investigating various claims filed against the County, related to workers’ compensation and liability programs.  Mr. Swanson has provided appropriate response and services to the County and staff recommends renewing the contract.  Staff performed an informal review of other local investigative service providers.  As a result, Swanson and Associates provided a broader scope of services and lower rates as compared to other local service providers.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may direct staff to seek other options for these services.  This is not recommended as there is a limited pool of qualified consultants within the local area that can perform the services of Mr. Swanson but at a higher rate.  The Board may direct staff to perform investigations in-house; however current staffing levels and training may not be sufficient to perform the duties of the investigator.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation.  County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.  Risk Management has approved the agreement.

FINANCING

Costs associated with this agreement will be included as part of normal business costs in future budget years.  There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.