Boewer's wrongful termination suit settled

Former Colusa County Behavioral Health Director Curtis Boewer received $370,000 in a settlement of his lawsuit for wrongful termination.

County officials reported it was less expensive to settle the suit than it would have been to fight it in court, and all other claims, including the pending worker's comp matter, have been dropped.

The settlement will be paid largely by insurance, county officials said.

"The suit was evaluated and determined to be without merit," according to a statement released through the County Counsel's office.

"However, following initial victories by the county at the pleading stage, it became apparent to the Board of Supervisors that defending the case to victory would be inordinately expensive both in terms of dollars and cents and the potential effects on the morale of the county overall and employees in particular.

"The board was presented the opportunity to make a settlement offer that was substantially less than battling through the courts and would enable everyone to move forward, Mr. Boewer included. The offer was made and accepted."

Boewer, who said he signed a confidentiality clause and could not discuss specifics about the settlement, does not think it was so one-sided, and feels vindicated.

"We went into mediation and we settled. ... All I can say is I settled with the county," said Bower, who had an unsuccesful run for a supervisorial seat in June.

Boewer said during the mediation sessions, the retired judge overseeing the matter made it clear that there were parts of the suit that seemed to favor Boewer and parts that fell on the side of the county.

"That is what mediation is for," Boewer said.

The former official said he did offer to return to work, but the county declined.

He is hoping the situation will show the supervisors and other county officials the need to improve how employees are treated.

The county needs to provide "more respectful treatment to employees and give them the staff and tools and guidance they need to do their job," Boewer said.

"None of the employees come in and say they are going to do a bad job today. They come in wanting to do the best job they can."

He also believes the county needs an administrator to oversee the daily operations, and to provide oversight of department issues.