City presents risk-management report: workers' comp trends, sidewalk inspections and CJPIA partnership

Arroyo Grande staff and a representative from the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) presented the city’s 2025 risk-management overview on March 10, describing program activity, claims trends and mitigation steps.

Risk manager Ashley (self-identified) told council the city averages about 21 workers’ compensation claims annually and that roughly 55% of recent workers’ comp costs are driven by about six high-cost claims. Ashley said staff administered 302 safety trainings in 2025, reestablished a monthly safety committee, updated evacuation maps and replaced fire extinguishers and first-aid kits at city facilities.

Tim Kars, risk-manager with CJPIA, summarized third-party liability trends and said slips, trips and falls — particularly on sidewalks and rights-of-way — and vehicle incidents are the most common claim types. Kars said the city generally trends below the CJPIA pool average for claim severity but noted an uptick in 2025–26 that CJPIA expects to normalize as claims are managed.

Infrastructure and prevention: Kars and Ashley highlighted the city’s sidewalk-inspection and self-evaluation program, which identified sidewalk hazards and prioritized repairs. Kars said Measure E24 funding and other infrastructure investments have both improved community walkability and reduced liability exposure.

Council response: council members praised the proactive work, asked for clarification on pool comparisons and were told overall claim costs are compared to a 128-agency CJPIA pool; police and fire exposures are pooled separately for some analyses.

The report was received and filed; no council action was required.