State settlements settle back near yearly normal

DES MOINES — State government paid more than $4.65 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 to settle claims and resolve disputes caused by employee mistakes, workplace misconduct or other damages — a total that is down significantly from the previous year, according to state records.

State settlements and judgments paid during the 12-month period that ended June 30 were down fourfold from fiscal year 2015, when efforts to resolve construction issues at the newly built Iowa State Penitentiary caused yearly payments authorized by the State Appeal Board to spike to nearly $19.6 million.

“It seems to go in cycles,” said Joseph Barry, the state’s risk manager within the Iowa Department of Management who tracks settlements and judgments for the three-member appeal panel.

“Last year was a pretty normal scenario,” Barry added. “Obviously, if it isn’t zero, it’s always higher than you want it to be, but I don’t know if that’s reality. As long as it’s not those spikes, the more we can stay away from those issues the better.”

Read more: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/state-settlements-settle-back-near-yearly-normal-20160905