Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board appoints Grant Colfax as Contra Costa director of health services
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Grant Colfax as director of Contra Costa Health Services at step 3 of the salary range. Colfax, a former San Francisco health director, thanked supervisors and said he was eager to work on health equity across the county.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 voted unanimously to appoint Grant Colfax as director of Contra Costa Health Services, setting his step-3 salary at $42,680.61 per month.
County Administrator (name not specified in transcript) introduced Colfax and outlined his background, saying Colfax had roughly 25 years of public health experience, including as health director in the City and County of San Francisco and as health and human services director in Marin County. The administrator said Colfax led a 9,000-person health department and managed a budget that included a level-1 trauma center and other large care systems.
“I'm so honored to be here,” Colfax said in brief remarks to the board. “I’m really inspired to get to work and to advance the mission of Contra Costa Health, especially given some of the challenges that we face.”
The appointment drew praise from multiple supervisors, who cited Colfax’s experience running San Francisco’s complex health systems and his work on HIV/AIDS policy. Supervisor Diane Burgess said Colfax’s background equips him to help the county “lift up” services for residents. Supervisor John Gioia and others also thanked Ori Savelli, who served as acting health director and will continue as health officer.
The board recorded the appointment and then opened public comment. Speakers in support included Debbie (identified in the transcript as a public commenter) and Gigi Crowder of NAMI Contra Costa, both of whom urged that the new director work to protect vulnerable groups and address health disparities in the county’s African American community.
The board’s vote was carried unanimously and supervisors said they look forward to Colfax beginning in the position. The motion as recorded by the clerk carried with all five supervisors voting in favor.
The board did not detail Colfax’s official start date beyond remarks that supervisors “look forward to Doctor Colfax starting next week.” The county administrator said standard management-resolution benefits and accruals based on total county service were part of the appointment package.
Colfax’s appointment comes as the county and its health department continue to face questions about federal policy changes and local public‑health needs; supervisors and public commenters said they expect the new director to prioritize health equity across Contra Costa.
(Ending) The board’s personnel action was formalized in the public meeting with a unanimous vote. Supervisors and community advocates said they intend to work closely with Colfax on equity and service‑delivery priorities across the county.
