The City of Freeport, Texas, held a council meeting on May 19, 2025, where several key agenda items were discussed, including the renewal of the city's windstorm insurance policy.

The meeting began with Miss Hurst presenting the details of the windstorm insurance renewal. The city currently has two insurance carriers covering various locations, including the golf course pro shop, River Place Pavilion, and the FMP kitchen. The proposed renewal through ICAT reflects a significant increase in costs, rising by approximately $14,000 from the previous year, bringing the total premium to $72,040.55. This increase is attributed to rising replacement costs for structures and overall insurance rates.

To mitigate costs, Miss Hurst recommended adjusting the deductible from 1% to 3%. The council was presented with three options based on different deductible amounts: maintaining the 1% deductible at $72,040.55, lowering it to 3% for $44,635.94, or opting for a 5% deductible at $28,608.75. The recommendation to choose the 3% deductible was made in light of the city's financial sustainability goals.

Miss Hurst also raised concerns about the future of the city's insurance coverage, noting that the insurance providers are increasingly reluctant to cover certain properties and are requesting documentation dating back to 2013. This situation may pose challenges for the city moving forward, as maintaining adequate insurance coverage becomes more complex.

The council's discussions highlighted the importance of balancing financial considerations with the need for comprehensive insurance coverage, as well as the potential difficulties that may arise in securing future policies. The meeting concluded with a focus on the need for careful management of the city's insurance needs in light of these challenges.