REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Employment Contract with Dennis Rhee to Provide Forensic Pathology Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Employment Contract with Dennis Rhee, M.D. for the provision of Forensic Pathology Services for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, effective June 19, 2021 through June 18, 2024, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an estimated annual cost of $327,409 (Salary - $265,138; Benefits - $62,271).
(Presenter: John Ades, Captain, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated annual cost for this Employment Contract is $327,409 (Salary - $265,138; Benefits - $62,271). This position is assigned to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) Coroner’s Division. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2021-22 recommended budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In accordance with the provisions in Title 3, Division 2, Part 3, Chapter 10 of the California Government Code, (§27491 et seq.), the Coroner of San Bernardino County may at his discretion, cause a postmortem pathological examination or autopsy to be made on the bodies of persons who die in the County, when an inquiry is necessary under the provisions of law to determine the cause of death.
Given the demanding caseload of the Coroner’s Division, the Department recommends a contract with Dr. Dennis Rhee for the period of June 19, 2021 through June 18, 2024, with the option to extend the term of the contract for two additional one-year periods, subject to County Counsel review. Approval of the contract will allow the Department to reduce or avoid delays in service to decedent’s families or adverse effects impacting the timely disposition of felony criminal cases and the resolution of civil litigation. Either party may terminate the contract at any time without cause with 14-days’ advance written notice to the other party. The contract may be terminated for just cause immediately by the County.
PROCUREMENT
Recruitment for this position was conducted via the National Association of Medical Examiner’s website. Only one candidate, Dr. Rhee, applied for the position. The interview was conducted by the Coroner Division’s Chief Forensic Pathologist. The Department recommends a contract with Dr. Rhee based on his skills and experience meeting the requirements of the position, and his successful prior tenure with the Department’s Coroner Division as a Forensic Pathologist.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Principal Assistant County Counsel; and Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 12, 2021; Human Resources (Gina King, Division Chief, 387-8304) on May 13, 2021; Finance (Carolina Mendoza, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on May 17, 2021 and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 17, 2021.