Planning & Public Works Agency—County of Glenn

Location: Willows, Glenn County

District Manager: Dan Obermeyer

GSRMA (Golden State Risk Management Authority) Board Meeting – Held at the GSRMA offi ce 247 W Sycamore Street, Willows, CA 95988. Next meetings are March 19, 2008 (rescheduled from March 12) and May 8, 2008.

PCA (Public Cemetery Association) –Regional Training – February 16, 2008. Fresno, California. CAPC (California Association of Public Cemeteries) – Annual Conference – April 3-5, 2008. Sacramento, California.

GSRMA/PCA Annual Training – October 30-31, 2008. Rolling Hills Casino, Corning California.

The Planning & Public Works Agency of Glenn County is a consolidation of Facilities, Surveyor/Engineer, Flood Control, Water Resources, Stream Cleaning, Building Inspector, Planning, Road Maintenance & Construction, Solid Waste Landfi ll, Airports, Fleet Services, Public Transportation and

247 West Sycamore StreetPost Offi ce Box 706Willows, California 95988

www.gsrma.org

Phone: 530-934-5633Fax: 530-934-8133

Take NoteTake NoteTake NoteTake Note

MemberMemberMemberMember SpotlightSpotlightSpotlightSpotlightSpecial District operation. The Agency employs 75 people and has a budget of $15 million— approximately 25% of the County’s annual budget. County of Glenn and its agencies have been a GSRMA member since 1979.

Winter 2008Inside this issue:

Greetings!. . . . . . . . . . . 1

Membership Matters . . . . 1

WeTip . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Recording Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses—Cal/ OSHA Forms 300 & 300A . . . . 4

Benefi t Changes In Workers’ Compensation . . . . . . . . 4

Member Spotlight: Planning & Public Works Agency- County of Glenn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Take Note . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA ended 2007 on a very positive note as we introduced our latest service to our membership, the WeTip program. This service, provided at no direct cost to

the membership, provides a 24/7/365 crime reporting program. If you have not completed your WeTip questionnaire and ordered your WeTip fl yers and posters, please contact Dan Berry.

2008 introduced itself with a tremendous storm in Northern California. High winds (60+ mph) and heavy rains caused property damage to over 15 of our members. One bright spot in this loss was our ability to get just one deductible applied for all our members affected by this single event. So, the

Scott SchimkeRisk Manager

Damage at the Willows Intermediate School from the January 4, 2008 storm.

The fi rst phase of GSRMA’s Cemetery Best Practices program, the Resource Manual, has been made available to member cemetery districts. The manual is designed as a comprehensive resource for cemetery districts. However, many of the topics are common to all public entities and the information in the manual could be benefi cial to all GSRMA members.

The guide contains information on the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and other public entity governance resources. There are how-to guides for creating an employee manual, policy & procedure manual, injury & illness prevention program and a confl ict of interest policy. If you are seeking information on such topics, let us know. We will gladly

(Continued on Page 2)

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share this resource with any of our members.

Insurance costs rise and fall just like fi nancial markets. These costs are driven by many of the same forces as fi nancial markets: infl ation, interest rates, weather, and politics. Like investment advisors, risk managers need to understand historical trends, and also try to predict where future losses will come from. Currently, Employment Practices Liability (EPL) losses (such as harassment and wrongful termination) are increasing, and we expect that trend to continue into the future.

In response to the growing threat of employment practices-related losses and member concerns, GSRMA has gathered considerable resources to assist members. Our

Membership Matters By Dan Berry (dberry@gsrma.org)

Greetings!Greetings!Greetings!Greetings!$1,000 deductible will be split up among the members submitting claims for losses.

Operationally, we wrapped up 2007 with some signifi cant changes. Cathy Mudd joined out team a few months ago. She has a very strong fi nancial background and will be working with Chief Financial Offi cer Rick Krepelka. She currently works 3 days per week and we look forward to her assistance with GSRMA’s increasingly complex fi nancial systems. In addition, we expanded our offi ce

Page 1Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008

Training SpotlightMost classes completed for the Quarter ended

December, 2007

Agency:

County of Glenn

(91 classes)

Williams Fire

(54 classes)

Ukiah Valley Fire

(51 classes)

Orland Rural Fire

(44 classes)

into the space next door. Rick and Cathy are now in the “East” wing and Safety Offi cer Marshall once again has a dedicated training and meeting room.

In the January Board meeting, your Board of Directors took action on 2 minor issues required for the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Accreditation study. With their action, GSRMA is, again, “Accredited with Excellence” (CAJPA’s highest honor) through 2011. GSRMA has maintained this level of excellence since 1992.

Member Services Director Dan Berry has put together the fi nal touches on GSRMA’s Annual Conference for next Fall. We are very excited that we were able to line up Gordon Graham as the keynote speaker. Don’t miss out. Make sure to mark your calendars for October 30, 2008. Dan will be providing additional information in the months to come.

Dan Berry has also been very involved with creation of the Public Cemetery Alliance’s Best Practices committee. The committee unveiled their Best Practices manual at GSRMA’s January Board meeting. This material will be an extremely valuable tool for our Cemetery members. (Please refer to this issue’s Membership Matters column for more detail about this manual.)

Currently, we are working diligently with our actuary, John Alltop, as he goes through the process of projecting our members’ losses in the future. We use his estimates to help us calculate our member contribution rates. We will be presenting proposed 2008/2009 contributions at the March 19, 2008 Board meeting. Once reviewed by the Board, we will be able to provide our members with these estimates so that they can use them for budgeting for next fi scal year.

Finally, special recognition goes to Di Allabaugh and the rest of the Glenn County Public Works department (highlighted in this issue’s Member Spotlight). Di has been instrumental in implementing a highly successful back-to-work program in the department. Their lost time injury losses have been reduced by 95% since the implementation of the program a few years ago. Reducing losses is the single most important thing our members can do to lower their contribution amounts. All of our members should applaud Di and the department’s commitment to this end.

We are very positive about the upcoming year and I am confi dent that this will be another successful year for GSRMA and its membership. Remember, “2008 will be great!”

(Greetings - Continued from Page 1)

rates. The members-only area of the Strategic HR Website, www.strategichr.com, is packed with resources and legal updates. Contact GSRMA for login information.

Lastly, remember that sexual harassment training for supervisors is mandated by State law to be completed every two years. Many members are due to

complete this training in 2008. You can obtain this training at your convenience through MemberLink. Its online course meets the State requirements. Additionally, GSRMA Safety Offi cer Mark Marshall, who is certifi ed to conduct these trainings, will provide regional trainings throughout the year.

(Membership Matters - Cont. from Page 1)

risk-management partner, Target Safety, shares our beliefs regarding EPL risk and is focusing their latest MemberLink training offerings to help our members avoid these losses.

The MemberLink EPL module, “Manage Smart”, was launched in January. Initially, there are two course offerings; Employment Practices Overview and Interviewing and Hiring. More courses and tools are on the way. In the meantime, it is recommended that all managers and supervisors take these trainings.

Another valuable EPL resource is Strategic HR. This GSRMA partner provides comprehensive training and assistance with employment issues. GSRMA members can attend regional training at discounted

“Currently, Employment Practices Liability

(EPL) losses (such as harassment and wrongful

termination) are increasing…”

Page 2 Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008 Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008

payments for the first 2 years, no payments were allowed beyond the 2-year window. However, recent legislation, effective January 1, 2008, allows the injured worker to collect the full 104 weeks within a 5-year window. In fact, in certain circumstances, the worker could receive almost 5 years of temporary disability payments – a significant modification he 2004 law.

Also, the minimum and maximum rates for temporary disability have increased for injuries on or after January 1, 2008. The maximum rate is now $916.33 per week for an employee with average weekly earnings of $1,374.49 and over. The minimum rate has grown to $137.45 per week for average weekly earnings at or below $206.17. While the amounts have increased, the formula for computing temporary disability figures has not changed.

It remains 2/3 of the injured worker’s average weekly earnings. It is important to remember that, with the 2004 changes, the temporary disability rates became tied to a wages index and change automatically. The rate is adjusted by the percentage of increase for average weekly wages that California

employers paid and reported to the United Stated Department of Labor for the previous 12-month period (ending March 31).

Another increase to the injured worker is in the rate allowed for mileage incurred for treatment of the injury. The rates now follow the IRS allowance for business mileage. So, for treatments received through December 31, 2007 the rate was at 48½ cents per mile. Treatments received January 1, 2008 and thereafter are to be paid at 50½ cents per mile. During the past 2 years the rate increased from 37½ cents per mile to 48½ cents, then decreased to 44½ cents, and increased again to 48½ cents.

Insofar as permanent disability and life pension are concerned, the increase for 2008 is limited to the COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) of 1.0393181 percent over 2007’s maximums. Finally, there has been no change to death benefits, nor are any anticipated at this time. However, the same cannot be said for other areas of California Workers’ Compensation law. Based on the system’s recent history, change is the one thing of which we can be sure.

Page 5Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008 Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008

Cemetery Alliance’s annual meeting which will be held at the same location on October 31st.

The Keynote speaker for our training day will be Gordon Graham, a nationally recognized speaker on loss prevention. Mr. Graham, a

This year’s GSRMA annual training day will be held on October 30th, 2008 at the Rolling Hills Casino (www.rollinghillscasino.com) in Corning, Tehama County. For the first time, the event will be held in conjunction with the Public

former CHP officer and attorney, will provide a educational, interesting and highly entertaining presentation to those in attendance.

Mark your calendars now. Additional information and registrations forms should be available in April.

(Benefi t Changes- Continued from Page 4)

October 30th 2008 - Save Th e DateOctober 30th 2008 - Save Th e DateOctober 30th 2008 - Save Th e DateOctober 30th 2008 - Save Th e Date

Completed Loss prevention Incentive Program (LPIP) forms

are do in our offi ce no later than March 3, 2008.

Through this program, members can earn a 10%

contribution credit up to a maximum of $50,000.

The Loss Prevention Subsidy Program (LPSP) is a program

in which members can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for

training-related expenses.

Subsidies should be pre-approved and training must

be completed by June 30, 2008.

Please contact Mark Marshall for more information

regarding these programs.

Loss Prevention Program Deadlines

Phone: 530-934-5633 Fax: 530-934-8133

California Association of Joint Powers Authorities

Accredited with Excellence since 1992

Website: www.gsrma.org

In addition to the aforementioned benefits of accreditation, additional advantages are:

The CSAC Excess Insurance Authority, GSRMA’s main excess insurance carrier provides discounts to accredited JPAs. These discounts exceed the accreditation fees

Incentives and discounts from the other major excess carriers are likely in the future

Provides a valuable risk assessment of GSRMA’s operations Learning how GSRMA is doing compared to others – a low

cost peer review Allows GSRMA to provide improved service to members Provides a resource to GSRMA management of innovative

methods and task simplification Provides suggestions for problem solving and streamlining

operations Assists GSRMA in marketing itself to prospective members

and coverage providers Allows management and its governing body to better

understand the GSRMA’s structure and operations Affords a compliance review with laws and statutes governing

JPA’s Accreditation is a form of “preventative maintenance” to avert

breakdowns in operations. Getting back to the question “Is it worth the staff time and fees expended to obtain accreditation?” Considering issues discussed here, we believe that the answer is a resounding “YES”. That time in history when CAJPA formulated the accreditation program is here again! So when the time comes to go through the accreditation process, we in management are confident that we can receive your unequivocal support. Sincerely,

Dan Berry, Member Services Director

Page 2 of 2

actively promote it. Signage and posters are available from the company that can be used at member’s sites. WeTip staff are happy to help with the development of press releases and other tools that help publicize the program.

The WeTip system can and has been used in a wide variety of criminal activities. Obvious targeted crimes include arson, vandalism, theft, harassment, assault and kidnapping. Other applicable crimes include welfare and Workers’ Compensation fraud and many “white collar” crimes such as embezzlement.

Based on the results seen with many other organizations, we strongly encourage our members to take advantage of this powerful crime prevention and recovery tool. To do so, members should return the

The Golden State Risk Management Authority Board decided in its November Board meeting to contract with WeTip, Inc. for WeTip, an anonymous tip program. WeTip. Inc. is a non-profi t organization whose sole purpose is to deliver an effective anonymous citizen’s crime reporting resource.

As the “grandfather” program of anonymous informant lines, WeTip has a long history of providing law enforcement with an innovative solution to problems associated with witness protection and anonymity.

WeTip operates toll-free lines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year that are staffed by trained operators who are able to fi eld calls in English and Spanish. A caller can report a crime anonymously anytime from anywhere

in the Country. Once a call is submitted, WeTip immediately delivers the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

If the tip leads to a conviction, the caller can receive a reward anonymously.

One of the strongest features of the WeTip program is its absolute anonymous approach to tip gathering, reporting and rewarding. During the process, the WeTip operator will not accept any name information.

Rather, they assign a code to each caller. If the caller’s information results in an arrest and conviction, the caller can call back and receive instructions on how to collect their reward through a U.S. Post Offi ce of their choosing. They can pick up the reward with simply the code that they were assigned as identifi cation.

This process eliminates many of the obstacles that would otherwise discourage individuals who have valuable information.

Additionally, the WeTip program is a proven crime deterrent for entities that

crime reporting contact form sent to all members in January. (If you need another copy of the form, please contact our offi ce.) Once you return the form, you may wish to order posters and fl yers free of charge from WeTip.

Loss prevention requires a variety of techniques and tools to be successful. We are happy to provide you with another tool to add to your crime fi ghting and loss prevention arsenal.

The WeTip 35th Annual National Conference is May 1 & 2, 2008 in Ontario, CA. Information will be available on the WeTip Website soon or call them at (530) 987-5005 x 249 for more information. Attendance by members could qualify for GSRMA LPSF reimbursement.

Page 3Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008

WeTip Facts—A History of ResultsSince Inception in 1972

421,572 Tips

14,786 Arrests

7,515 Convictions

$314,235,229 Drug Seizures

$16,617,750 Stolen Property Recovered

$6,684,889 Cash Seized

$828,018 Rewards Paid Out

Benefi t Changes In Workers’ CompBenefi t Changes In Workers’ Comp

Recording Work-Related Injuries and Recording Work-Related Injuries and IllnessesIllnesses— — Cal/OSHA Forms 300 & 300ACal/OSHA Forms 300 & 300A

Recording Work-Related Injuries and Recording Work-Related Injuries and IllnessesIllnesses— — Cal/OSHA Forms 300 & 300ACal/OSHA Forms 300 & 300A

Benefi t Changes In Workers’ CompBenefi t Changes In Workers’ Comp

On the other hand, to meet HIPPA requirements, employers are prohibited from entering an employee’s name on the 300 log where the injury or illness occurred to an intimate body part or the reproductive system, sexual assaults, mental illnesses, HIV infection, hepatitis or tuberculosis, and needle stick injuries and cuts from sharps where the objects are contaminated with another person’s blood.

OSHA law requires applicable employers to complete and post an Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form

frequently as they are interpreted by the courts and modified by the Legislature. Major changes were passed by the Legislature and implemented in 2004. As we begin 2008, many of these changes are in the process or have already been

Every employer who is subject to OSHA and has more than 10 employees at any time during a calendar year is required to maintain records relating to employee injuries and illnesses. Injuries and illnesses should be recorded on a Form 300 or similar log format and kept at the site for 5 years.

The information contained in the 300 form includes a record of each illness or injury including names, dates, location of injury, injury description and type and days the worker was away from his normal job. This form must be made available to any employee, former employee or their agent upon request.

Employers must record all new cases of work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses if they involve: death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job function, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness or significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

300A should be completed and certified by a company executive as correct at the end of each calendar year. It must then be posted in the workplace where notices to workers are usually posted and must remain there for three months – February through April. Posting the annual summary is required even if there were no employee injuries or illnesses within the last year.

More information and blank forms are available on the CalOSHA Website at www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/.

modified; some significantly. As an example, let’s take a look at benefit payments.

In the 2004 legislation, temporary disability payments were limited to a 104 week period. Even if the employee received little or no

Page 4 Golden State Risk Management Authority Winter 2008

Continued on Page 5

California’s Workers’ Compensation laws are confusing leaving the layperson often wondering how it works. The bottom line is that State Workers’ Compensation laws are NEVER set in stone and, in fact, change

Phone: 530-934-5633 Fax: 530-934-8133

California Association of Joint Powers Authorities

Accredited with Excellence since 1992

Website: www.gsrma.org

Post Office Box 706 Willows, CA 95988

Golden State Risk Management

February 5, 2008 Dear Golden State Risk Management Authority Member, Congratulations! Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) is one of the elite forty-four insurance Joint Powers Authorities (JPA’s) that are currently accredited by the California Association of Joint Powers Authority (CAJPA). GSRMA has been continuously Accredited With Excellence, the highest level of accreditation, since 1992. This accomplishment is only achieved by evidence of GSRMA’s compliance with a rigorous set of standards promulgated by the CAJPA Board of Directors. These standards are continuously reviewed and updated to reflect the latest requirements of regulatory agencies and practices deemed prudent in the management of JPAs in the State of California. Some have questioned the value of accreditation. Is it worth the staff time and fees expended to obtain accreditation? To answer this question, one must go back in history to a time similar to that we are experiencing today. California’s budget was in deficit, the property/casualty and workers’ compensation insurance markets were in turmoil and underfunded for the most part, and legislators were beginning to question why risk pooling JPAs were the only quasi insurance providers that were not regulated. It was in this climate that CAJPA formulated the accreditation program. It was opined that if California JPAs were to avoid government regulation and the costs attendant there to, it must be shown that they were very well self-regulated. Once accreditation was up and going, a program was launched to educate legislators and regulators of CAJPA’s approach to self-regulation with credible accreditation standards. This apparently accomplished the purpose because the rumbles of regulation by legislators subsided and the California Department of Self-Insurance Plans strongly endorsed CAJPA’s program.

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