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Commissioners approve 2025–26 county insurance program renewal; premium rises amid market pressure
Summary
Delaware County approved the renewal of its county risk-sharing authority program for 2025–26. The county’s premium for property and casualty coverage was reported as $558,195, reflecting a 12.8% year-over-year increase; county staff credited local loss-control efforts and noted about $30,000 in credits reduced the premium.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on April 17 approved the county’s renewal in the County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA) program for the 2025–26 policy year, and county staff described market-driven increases and local loss-control steps that moderated the cost.
Don Houston, deputy administrator, said the county’s renewal premium is $558,195 and that participation in loss-control activities produced about $30,000 in credits that helped lower the final cost. He told commissioners the year-over-year change reflects a 12.8% increase tied to increased exposures — new buildings, vehicles and payroll — as the county grows.
Brian Smith, the county’s local insurance agent, said the commercial insurance market remains “hardened,” driven primarily by rising reinsurance costs for pools. He told the board those market pressures contributed to a roughly 10 percent increase in the pool’s program costs and that Delaware County’s 12.8 percent increase is modest relative to broader market changes.
Commissioner Gary Merrill, who serves on the relevant insurance board, emphasized the complexity of insurance decisions and noted the county carries a $100,000 deductible policy for certain claims. Commissioners thanked staff and local agents for their loss-control work. The board then approved resolution 25-276, authorizing the 2025–26 program cost, by unanimous vote.
County staff said continuing loss-control work by departments and elected officials helped keep the premium lower than it would otherwise have been. Staff also recommended using HR resources to avoid incidents that could trigger large deductible claims.
The vote on resolution 25-276 was unanimous; no dollar reallocation or budget amendment was specified in the meeting record.
