Title
Human Resources Department, Risk Management Division, recommending the Board:
1) Make a finding that Contract 5782 with the State of California, Office of Administrative Hearings for Administrative Law Judge Services is necessary to protect against a conflict of interest or to ensure independent and unbiased findings where there is a need for an outside perspective per County Contracting Out Ordinance 3.13.030;
2) Approve Contract 5782 with State of California, Office of Administrative Hearings for Administrative Law Judge Services in an amount of $48,000 for a period beginning 09/25/2021 through 09/24/2026, and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to Execute Contract 5782 with the State of California, Office of Administrative Hearings for Administrative Law Judge Services.
FUNDING: Risk Management Internal Service Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Government Code 27720 states, "The board of supervisors of any county may establish the office of county hearing officer. The duties of the office are to conduct hearings for the county or any board, agency, commission or committee of the county." El Dorado County has not established the Office of County Hearing Officer; therefore, per Government Code 27727, the County may contract with the Office of Administrative Hearings of the State of California for an administrative law judge or a hearing officer to conduct proceedings. Administrative Law Judge services are utilized for any case when the County needs a credentialed judge as required by State statute, such as arbitration or a workers' compensation appeal, to preside over a hearing and make an impartial judgment.
The County has contracted with the Office of Administrative Hearings for Administrative Law Judge services for some time. Prior agreements have not come before the Board for approval because the term was previously three years. While the not-to-exceed amount has remained $48,000, the Office of Administrative Hearings updated their contract term for...
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