SYN. NO. AGN. NO.
MOTION BY SUPERVISOR DON KNABE January 19, 1999

Last year, the County of Los Angeles paid out over $50 million in judgements, settlements and claims. This figure does not even take into account the labor hours devoted by County Counsel and other personnel to resolve these claims and suits.
While I believe the County is doing a good job in the area of Risk Management, it is clear that the County could be doing an even better job. That is why one of my goals as Chairman is to create an Independent Inspector General for Risk Management. The creation of this position will surely pay for itself many times over in savings to the County.
The Inspector General will be charged with reviewing corrective action plans County-wide to make sure that they are indeed the proper corrective plans and to follow-up to see that they have been implemented and are being followed.
Claims and suits against the County will never completely end. However, we owe it to the taxpayers of this County to make sure that their County government does not repeat its mistakes.
I, THEREFORE MOVE, that the Board adopt the attached ordinance prepared by the County Counsel creating an Inspector General for Risk Management.

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ANALYSIS

This ordinance establishes within the Department of Auditor-Controller the position of Risk Management Inspector General, and prescribes the functions and responsibilities for such position.

LLOYD W. PELLMAN
County Counsel

By
Deputy

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1/14/98

ORDINANCE NO. ______

An Ordinance amending Title 2 - Administration of the Los Angeles County Code, relating to the Auditor-Controller.

The Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles ordains as follows:
Section 1. Section 2.10.090 is added to read as follows:
2.10.090 Risk management inspector general.
A. In order to provide county-wide oversight in identifying the necessity for and in the formulation, implementation, assessment and ongoing review of departmental risk management measures, including corrective action plans and procedures, there is created in the department of the auditor-controller the position of risk management inspector general.
B. The risk management inspector general shall be responsible for performing independent and impartial reviews and investigations of the processes, procedures, actions and omissions relating to instances or events resulting in liability for claims or litigation alleging county liability for damages, including but not limited to damages for injury to persons or property or for denial or loss of public services or benefits. The risk management inspector general shall provide to the board of supervisors, chief administrative officer and county counsel comprehensive and confidential analyses and reports of the facts and findings based on such reviews and investigations and his or her recommendations for risk management measures. The functions andresponsibilities of the risk management inspector general are not intended to duplicate the role, functions or responsibilities of the children's services inspector general, special counsel, ombudsman or other positions or authorities performing review and/or investigatory functions, but rather to focus on the processes, procedures, actions and omissions relating to specific instances and events resulting in county liability in order to provide the county's legal counsel, chief administrative officer and board of supervisors with independent and impartial assessments which will enable the formulation, implementation and ongoing monitoring and review of appropriate corrective action measures to minimize risks of county liability.
C. The risk management inspector general shall have access to such confidential records of the county, its departments and officers as may be material and relevant to his or her reviews and investigations, and he or she shall strictly preserve and protect all statutory and constitutional requirements of confidentiality, and assert all applicable privileges, with regard to records and individuals.
D. All county departments, officers, employees and contractors shall cooperate in such reviews and investigations and promptly supply any information or records requested by the risk management inspector general.
E. The confidentiality of any and all confidential information received in connection with such reviews and investigations shall be safeguarded and maintained. Such information may only be provided by the risk management inspector general to the board of supervisors, county counsel and thoseindividuals within the departments of the auditor-controller and chief administrative officer who are directly responsible for the performance of this function.

[210090DM.COC]