[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6642007,"mediaKeyId","3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a","parentId",3405313,"title","County audit finds worker‑comp customer service gaps; CorVel and risk staff lay out fixes and RFP plan","audioSeconds",3291,"startMs",8852000,"endMs",12143000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a&start=8852&end=12143","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a/thumbnail_8852000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642007/Tulare-County/California/County-audit-finds-workercomp-customer-service-gaps-CorVel-and-risk-staff-lay-out-fixes-and-RFP-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642007-e3386e46de327a8194e54cbf91237181/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438934&Signature=g8eX6qYzw5KfI4FQ3jk38F9t5kUEdJ6V5Cxj4oCGcW3tvVN4dA8yIAHGyRX-IC9rsTe5O1kaegQmNNYuI7F1re89c-XPH5p5gOQOwgLHyG5ynZpNKqfJRibrBwmkTNoX7BW-tKq2kil41gL~QBfuEaaangGxtONeYK-SIqWzVU46ehso5AJu~4dtRsJhN3Bn8vuIzZ1v7fs~x0LERZH5RHEQXWHbnDFFsXyJXkxKBdxxvXsM23VjKI4sSpe4tFUvXW12V1n-DkidUANx5N~5vTBlcy4C8k~o4~mdFdWlMVLsBHQgZo8cSAKUDRYlgbKnyrZz6M5awYVWfKhEZt~E9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulare County","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Risk management and the county’s third‑party administrator, CorVel, briefed the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on employee complaints and a customer‑service survey covering workers’ compensation claims.

Risk Manager Rob explained that the division surveyed 580 current and former employees with open or settled claims and received 242 responses; the board was shown results grouped into four categories — engagement and medical treatment, claims‑process explanation, communication/follow‑up and explanation of workers’ compensation benefits. Rob said the largest negative scores centered on communication and clarity about benefits: “The negative should be the large… portion at 54%,” he said, summarizing the communication follow‑up findings, and added that explanation of benefits drew a 61% negative response in the survey.

CorVel account manager Michael Corona and claims manager Terry Davis acknowledged shortcomings and described specific fixes: expanding staff to reduce adjuster caseloads, enabling SMS texting and email that is logged in CorVel’s claim system, and assigning a new supervisor focused on customer service for the county’s account. Corona said the system can now capture texts and emails in the claim record so the company and county can audit responsiveness. Davis said the firm has been tracking improved scorecards for initial contact and recurring monthly contacts since the new supervisor began five months ago.

Risk management described additional measures it is implementing: a dedicated risk‑level email and escalation process so employees can reach risk leadership directly; an informational day‑one claims letter that lists the assigned risk technician and a claims pamphlet with a contact link; monthly performance meetings with CorVel; and an annual county survey of early claims. Rob said the county will consider an RFP for third‑party administrator services if improvements are insufficient and noted the next biennial audit of CorVel is scheduled for October 2025.

Board and department reaction: several supervisors and department leaders described repeated past problems in responsiveness. A public safety official said prompt evaluation and return‑to‑work is essential for staffing and public safety. Supervisor McCarrie recounted a long history of employee complaints; CorVel management apologized in the chamber and said staff accountability will be tightened and that leadership is available for urgent escalations.

Ending: Risk management will monitor CorVel’s promised changes, run follow‑up surveys and continue monthly performance reviews; the county will open an RFP process in the fall if substantial improvements are not sustained.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - 05/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Risk staff told the Tulare County Board of Supervisors that a recent customer‑service survey and prior audits show persistent employee complaints about poor communication and unclear explanations from the county’s third‑party workers’ compensation administrator, CorVel.","taxTitle","Tulare County, California","taxId",7749,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642012,"Board accepts Avenue 56 interim repair and ends storm emergency contracting authority",1113,7748000,8861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a&start=7748&end=8861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a/thumbnail_7748000.jpg","/articles/6642012/Tulare-County/California/Board-accepts-Avenue-56-interim-repair-and-ends-storm-emergency-contracting-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642012-23fb9c191aa4876ded25552817a82676/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438934&Signature=YMNOUI~ENn-YLYbdobY5-Flk2gyw7LUnpCojBNzCNRAMblDCtydlbwtW-gZvC7KP4hWLgMW0wP9xn0l9pkT-~bspTSk7o1~9ZZJ89rZOFoDlHBscnn02SwW-c~9lLfuyaZFriYI3Y5EoeHoOcPCXZNXvNwGbAv8O4XxO-yg7bqSz8ukpoq2nP4F8iXx8k9YxxWtFp6Io2QOSO9G9o1VEKZGkxIReElonHhYgE8nIRTUC1M4HfTnQdd1Mr6VT~fVLu~arCLHs1IoZuRdUTiyj~1S6ZERBOCgd6uv~22kPNSRp-HjPO68S0QLRhMmZ~3R5QDPI~9SPUJJXNnwGSlNpjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resource Management Agency staff briefed the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and asked the board to accept the Avenue 56 interim repair as complete and to end emergency contracting authority tied to the March 2023 storms.

RMA staff told the board the emergency proclamation enabled rapid response to 237 damaged locations across the county after those storms and allowed the county to use force‑account work, time‑and‑materials contracts and limited bid shortcuts to restore access to isolated properties. “This is a big milestone in the recovery,” the presenter said.

Why it matters: the storms damaged roads and bridges across wide parts of the county; the emergency proclamation let county crews and contractors restore access quickly. Staff said roughly $175 million is the current estimated recovery need countywide, with about $30 million of work completed under the emergency processes. RMA said it has worked with dozens of consultants and 12 contractors and that 87 locations were addressed directly by county crews and contracts under the proclamation.

Staff explained the two‑phase approach used after the storms: immediate access and temporary repairs to restore travel followed by permanent reconstruction, design, environmental clearance and property acquisition. Examples included temporary bridges and roadway repairs in remote areas; RMA said some temporary fixes are designed to last roughly a decade while permanent designs are prepared.

On funding and reimbursements, staff said FEMA and federal reimbursements are starting to come in and noted that six of 90 FEMA project applications have been obligated. “We’re starting to see actual money reimbursement coming in from FEMA,” the presenter told the board, while cautioning that additional reimbursements and cash‑flow timing will determine whether county road maintenance schedules need to be adjusted.

Board action: Supervisor Townsend moved and Supervisor Valero seconded a motion to accept the Avenue 56 interim repair work as complete and to terminate the emergency proclamation for contracting related to the March 2023 storm. The board voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Ending: RMA said work will continue under regular public‑works processes for design and permanent reconstruction; staff asked the board for continued patience as some projects will take years to complete and noted that reimbursements are beginning to arrive.","The board accepted completion of the Avenue 56 interim repair and voted to terminate an emergency proclamation that had enabled streamlined contracting after March 2023 storms; staff said FEMA reimbursements are beginning to arrive but full recovery will take years.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642017,"Tulare County animal services warns shelter capacity strained, seeks kennel expansion and staffing",1167,5893000,7060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a&start=5893&end=7060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a/thumbnail_5893000.jpg","/articles/6642017/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-animal-services-warns-shelter-capacity-strained-seeks-kennel-expansion-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642017-2b0bfff975ffbf87e19a4643afa9077a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438934&Signature=RYdowFESvvqseamkDy7H82EKEQCB8bqrWFEtjEp6SW43xvbjLcViJSozmmnC-jSMBY0xXTkIiismNqVkwSeHptBMZW7dXM7h2NWN3tdPlFJ-yFK3p~b2wL87aFKkyklLz8yAoI-96MbgIk9N1uSM6LRmNoRONEJZ2WX4t2ec7jf79lFIw8KsCXk8-zlALqeT4Lud2S2aciHYDlmkosuBhAAyy2DC6LRskdsAqJWyB3Cw6CHdJBcspwVa-kEGh8w7l6eM1hriRbwdoPidEsolNFDV0uqp8eKw7cYDu80UbDLc~tg7HL6X0IybG3H4kP2h2E-92laupmFpdvvV6oGlag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cassie, an animal services staff member, told the Tulare County Board of Supervisors that county animal services is handling far more animals than its facilities were built for and highlighted plans and funding needs to address the surge.

The presentation summarized operations across field services, shelter operations and a clinic added in 2021. Cassie said field officers often drive long distances — sometimes four hours one way — to respond to calls and that the shelter averages 6,000 to 7,000 calls a year. “We average 6,000 to 7,000 calls for service per year,” she said. She described a recent day the shelter took in 53 animals within a two‑hour period and said current shelter population includes 155 dogs, 109 of them puppies under four months.

Why it matters: staff said the county’s intake has risen sharply since 2022 and the shelter lacks space and veterinary capacity to meet current demand, creating operational strain and urgent needs for capital improvements and staffing.

Staff described three program areas. Field services includes four animal control officers, a supervisor and two dispatchers who answer about 80 calls per day; shelter operations has nine full‑ and part‑time staff who care for thousands of animals annually; and clinic operations — opened in 2021 — provides spay/neuter and other surgeries. Clinic staff have performed nearly 10,000 spay/neuter surgeries to date and over 10,000 vaccinations, the presentation said. Cassie noted partnerships with San Francisco SPCA for veterinary staffing and said the SPCA has provided about $200,000 in clinic support this fiscal year.

Cassie said COVID‑era reductions in spay/neuter services created a regional backlog of intact animals. “Part of what happened was during COVID, spay and neuter was not considered an essential service,” she said. The department estimates it has done roughly 2,000 dog intakes this year so far and projected about 6,000 dogs in 2025 — up from about 3,500 in 2022.

Planned investments and challenges: staff said three new field trucks are expected in August with one‑time funding, security camera and electrical upgrades are budgeted for fall, and a kennel expansion design is underway to replace 12 temporary kennels with 20 permanent runs (construction estimated in summer 2026). The county also reported roughly $160,000 in recent grants, about $19,000 in donations for spay/neuter and more than $200,000 in partner staffing support for clinic functions. A vacant veterinarian position has been open for more than a year amid a nationwide shortage.

Board reaction and next steps: supervisors praised staff and outside partners and asked about timelines for kennel work and opportunities to accelerate projects. Board members pressed staff to return with options to speed construction, and Supervisor Vanderpool said the board would consider invoking emergency provisions if warranted. Cassie said shelter adoption fees are capped at $100 and are reduced over time to move animals more quickly; she urged residents to consider adoption and the shelter’s walk‑in microchipping program.

Ending: the county is pursuing capital and operational changes and continuing partnerships with organizations such as the San Francisco SPCA and local rescues to increase capacity and move animals out of the shelter quickly. Staff said they will continue working with capital projects and county IT on security and kennel design and will update the board on timelines and costs.

","Animal Services staff told the Tulare County Board of Supervisors that intake has doubled since 2022, the county clinic has expanded services through outside partners, and planned kennel and security upgrades are needed to cope with rising dog and puppy intakes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642002,"Inmate alleges harassment, retaliation by Tulare County sheriff deputies during public comment",115,5580000,5695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a&start=5580&end=5695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405313-363dd29fdf0daac8ae1bea03e7cbdd6a/thumbnail_5580000.jpg","/articles/6642002/Tulare-County/California/Inmate-alleges-harassment-retaliation-by-Tulare-County-sheriff-deputies-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642002-bed8d3df50ac2b4a05605b20d059c70d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438934&Signature=V6EUfq7O~DLYAHlraPxVIy8bjBM6pX9YSTrIRgpYOshtXrtK11Pz5ubaFAMPF43xY3nZLDWgyAgNlgIzq4PxV~Q~z3Lills-~YSTLDxd1N9Wty20I7KtETun5YTvyEFYT1NVVxk2Wgee89KK-gRmFLzM64Z~UWoZUW5kEn05NjSXHAYT8PzggouR~5HmKZVRo69PGApUr9faWLHPklyHt1VLaBaxjII4NJ0SUdRkU1AYb-IoO1AZA0ED9OzMkk984vaYqDyNBHRGKoZyPyo1CLfOauZU4IW9p-p883B5ano36lp~Amy-P2C2zPVJHXz2VUcyjs75ynw9Xk7mEyU4Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment period, Michael Mulholliman told the Board of Supervisors he had been incarcerated at a county facility and alleged harassment and retaliation by a sheriff’s deputy while he was detained.

Mulholliman said he spent four months in custody and that a deputy retaliated after he filed a grievance by telling local gang members he was a “snitch.” “I was there for 4 months. My life is put in danger by deputy,” he said in the meeting’s public‑comment period. He told the board he has sought remedies from multiple agencies and organizations, including the California Civil Rights Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the ACLU, the Department of Justice, the FBI and the state attorney general’s office.

Mulholliman described being woken repeatedly, being served last at meal time and being locked in his room; he said the conduct forced him to seek mental‑health counseling. He said he is on probation and said he fears retaliation if he must appear in court because he has to pass the sheriff’s office. “They put that lady put my life in in in immediate danger and didn't care,” he added.

Board response: the chair thanked him for comment and asked whether there were other comment cards; no action or staff response was recorded during the meeting. Mulholliman said he planned to file a claim with the county after the meeting.

Ending: the speaker’s remarks were public comment; no investigation or staff response was announced during the meeting. Mulholliman said he had already contacted multiple state and federal agencies about his allegations.","A man who said he was jailed at a county facility described alleged racial harassment and retaliation by a deputy and said he has filed complaints with multiple state and federal agencies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County audit finds worker‑comp customer service gaps; CorVel and risk staff lay out fixes and RFP plan

Board accepts Avenue 56 interim repair and ends storm emergency contracting authority

Tulare County animal services warns shelter capacity strained, seeks kennel expansion and staffing

Inmate alleges harassment, retaliation by Tulare County sheriff deputies during public comment