To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Appoint Grant Colfax as the Director of Health Services effective August 19, 2025
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPOINT Grant Colfax as the Director of Health Services at Step 3 of the salary range, including all benefits as provided in the Management Resolution that apply to the position of Director of Health Services, and including all vacation and personal holiday leave accruals equivalent to 25 total County years of service, effective August 19, 2025.
2. ADOPT a Resolution appointing Grant Colfax to the Office of Public Guardian, effective August 19, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of the position for the remainder of the fiscal year totals approximately $619,733.31 and will result in annual ongoing costs for the position of Director of Health Services of approximately $ 708,266.64. All costs are fully budgeted in the Health Services Department for fiscal year 2025-26.
BACKGROUND:
The County conducted a recruitment process during the month of June 2025 with executive recruitment firm Bob Murray & Associates. In-person interviews of 6 qualified candidates took place on August 5, 2025, by the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Colfax was the previous Director of Health for the City and County of San Francisco and the Director of Health and Human Services for the County of Marin. He was the Director of HIV Intervention Branch and Prevention and Research for the City and County of San Francisco with approximately 25 years of County experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Harvard College, Cambridge, MA and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
While in San Francisco, Mr Colfax led a 9,000 person health department with a $3.2 billion budget, overseeing an acute care hospital and Level 1 trauma center, behavioral health, primary care, detention health and population health.
Mr. Colfax is recommended to be appointed at the top step of $42,680.61 per month including earning leave accruals based upon total County years’ of service.
Mr. Colfax is also recommended to be appointed to the Office of Public Guardian, effective August 19, 2025, pursuant to Government Code section 27431. This appointment is required to be made by resolution.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Director of Health Services position would not have a permanent appointment.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF: Appointing Grant Colfax as Public Guardian
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has established the Office of Public Guardian pursuant to Government Code section 27430 and Ordinance Code section 33-5.351.
WHEREAS, Public Guardian services are provided by the Health Services Department.
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors is appointing Grant Colfax Director of Health Services, effective August 19, 2025.
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors wishes to appoint Grant Colfax as Public Guardian concurrently with his appointment as Director of Health Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1. Grant Colfax is appointed Public Guardian, effective August 19, 2025.
All prior Public Guardian appointing resolutions are rescinded and superseded. End