Board creates standalone risk and safety department, approves job description and contract for Garfield Coleman
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Summary
Supervisors approved making risk management and safety a separate department, approved the director job description and accepted the employment contract for Garfield Coleman as director, citing improvements to the county's mod rate and workers' compensation performance.
County staff asked the board to separate the risk management and safety program from human resources and to make it its own department. The board approved the revised job description for a director of risk management and then approved the employment contract for Garfield Coleman to serve as director.
Rationale and background: Presenters said the risk and safety program has developed a strong safety culture, reduced insurance premiums and mod rates, and improved workers' compensation performance. Board members and staff noted that separating the unit from human resources reduces potential conflicts and better positions the program to work across departments.
Board action: Supervisors voted to approve the risk management director job description and later approved the employment contract and status change form for Garfield Coleman. The board also discussed internal equity and said the director’s salary was placed in context with other department heads; the board noted a 5% minimum promotion guideline in the employee handbook.
What to watch for: The county will implement the new departmental structure, finalize Garfield Coleman’s contract and update personnel files. Staff said the status change form will be filed in personnel records in case of state audit review.
