The Colusa County Board of Supervisors is on the hunt for the county’s highest paid public employee.
The county agreed last week to temporarily contract with Traditions Behavioral Health to provide a replacement for Dr. Gerardo Toribio, the county’s longtime psychiatrist, who retired on Dec. 31.
Toribio, who graduated from medical school in 1988, was Colusa County’s highest paid employee, at $385,425 per year ($504,000 with benefits and pension liability).
Until the county finds his replacement, Behavioral Health will temporarily contract for psychiatric services at a cost of $445,680 through June 30, officials said.
The Board of Supervisors on Jan. 4 approved a modified contract with Traditions, who have been providing miscellaneous psychiatrist services about eight to 10 hours a week.
The county will compensate the company at $250 per hour for services provided by a board certified child psychiatrist for up to 50 hours a week until a permanent replacement for Toribio can be found.
The county will also contract for all other psychiatric services at $250 hours per week.
The contract is not to exceed $445,680 by June 30, officials said.
Colusa County has also agreed to pay a recruitment fee not to exceed $50,000 if the county recruits Toribio’s replacement from Traditions Psychology Group (dba Traditions Behavioral Health).
Behavioral Health will do a mid-year budget adjustment if necessary, officials said. ■