NorCo Executive John Brown last year decided to impose unpopular reductions in health plans provided to the County workforce, starting with the new year. But his switch to a new plan had an unintended consequence. Workers trying to use the new prescription plan over the New Year holiday learned they had no coverage at all, and were forced to dig into their pockets to pay for needed medications.

One of those directly impacted was Controller Steve Barron. When he was unable to fill a prescription for a family member, Barron sent a mass email to employees, informing them of the problem. The County's Human Resources Department, which has had no director since October, sent no warning to county employees.

Fortunately for the workforce, the crisis was short-lived. At council's reorganization on Jan. 5, Brown told council that the problem, blamed on a clerical error at Capital BlueCross, had been fixed.

Later that day, a mass email advised employees how to seek reimbursement.