Mayor seeks approval for 2026 insurance renewal; premiums rise after settlements

Mayor Brubaker told the joint Community Development and Finance meeting Sept. 8 that the city’s annual 2026 property and liability insurance renewal produced an increase of $76,358 over last year’s premiums, driven largely by recent settlements and pending claims and by market changes in coverage for property, cyber and other exposures. The city’s broker, Gallagher, solicited quotes and returned a package the mayor and staff recommended continuing with, citing service history and the broker’s agreement not to raise broker service fees for this renewal year. Brubaker said Gallagher sought multiple quotes for umbrella and specific coverage lines and that the mayor favors continuing with the incumbent broker for service continuity. City staff said the ordinance should be passed with an emergency clause because the renewal must be completed before the Oct. 1 policy deadline. The committee moved and approved legislation authorizing the mayor to enter into the insurance contract and to present it to full council with an emergency recommendation.