Title
Human Resources Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings in accordance with Ordinance 3.13.030(F) that a contract for workplace investigations and mediation 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;
2) Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign Agreement 8691 with Municipal Resource Group, LLC, a firm that was identified through a County request for qualifications process, for a term of August 17, 2024 through August 16, 2027 and in an amount not to exceed $275,000; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any necessary amendments relating to Agreement 8691, excluding term extension and increases to the amount, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Countywide, General Fund and non-general fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Human Resources receives complaints of alleged misconduct in the workplace, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and abusive conduct by County employees. Human Resources may conduct investigations of these complaints in accordance with County policy or rule, including Board Policy E-5 and Personnel Rule 309.4, or as it and affected department heads deem necessary. The department has contracted with outside vendors when special skills and qualifications are involved in the performance of the work, when it is necessary to protect against a conflict of interest and obtain an outside perspective to make independent and unbiased findings, or when it is otherwise necessary to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation and resolution of the complaints filed. The nature of the work involves temporary, occasional, and urgent services. The County has contracted with MRG since 2014 for workplace investigation services.
MRG has the personnel and equipment necessary to provide workplace investigation services (which may include legal services if ...
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