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Councilors probe $1.03M quarterly insurance charge and ongoing HR legal bills on city check register
Summary
During consent‑calendar review, councilors and members of the public pressed staff about a $1,033,273 quarterly payment to the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority (RMA) covering workers’ comp, liability and employee practices, and asked about recurring legal services invoices.
Selma — Councilmembers and members of the public pressed staff Aug. 19 for clarity after reviewing the monthly check register, particularly a $1,033,273 quarterly payment to the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority (RMA) covering multiple insurance programs and recurring legal services invoices from the city’s employment‑law firm.
Finance staff explained that the $1,033,273 quarterly payment covers combined programs (workers’ compensation, liability, vehicle physical damage and property) and includes the employee practices liability program. Finance Director Moreno told council the quarterly item reflected the pooled insurance assessment that funds the city’s coverage across programs.
Councilmembers expressed concern about the program’s size: Councilmember Avalos and public commenter Rose Robertson noted the quarterly figure equates to roughly $4.1 million annually and asked that staff analyze loss runs, claims reporting practices and the city’s claims experience to understand whether losses are being managed effectively. Mayor Robertson and staff noted the importance of careful claims reporting to preserve coverage and control future premiums.
Councilmembers also asked about recurring legal expenditures billed by Lever Cassidy Whitmore (identified in the check register). Staff explained that the firm provides both a consortium membership fee that covers routine employment law help and separate billable hours for discrete matters. HR counsel explained that using a specialized employment‑law firm can reduce total cost by reducing time spent on research and by obtaining experienced, efficient handling of employment claims.
Requests and next steps - Council requested loss‑run reports and directed staff to analyze the city’s claims and the RMA billing to determine whether procedures can reduce loss experience and future costs. - Council also asked staff to compile comprehensive city attorney billing records and to report back on city attorney start date and cumulative payments, per a public records request.
Why it matters Insurance and claims experience drive large portions of municipal budgets and can affect future coverage availability. Council members said they wanted assurance that claims are being vetted appropriately and that all possible loss‑control steps are being pursued to limit long‑term expense.
Speakers quoted - Finance Director Moreno (Finance Director, City of Selma) - Rose Robertson (resident/commenter) - Councilmember Avalos (Selma City Council) - HR attorney / Lever Cassidy Whitmore (referenced by staff)
Authorities: none cited in transcript specific to payment authority; payment occurs under the city's risk‑pool agreements.
