Clallam County commissioners heard staff outline the county's risk-management structure and a proposed resolution to add an alternate director to the Washington counties'risk pool. The discussion took place during the board's Aug. 4 work session in Port Angeles.

The county currently participates in a multi-county insurance pool that layers self-insurance and commercial policies to cover property and liability exposures, staff said. "Clallam County has a total of $25,000,000 in insurance coverage," a county staff member said, describing multiple layers of protection the pool assembles to spread risk.

The staff member framed one of the county's largest liability exposures as claims tied to the criminal justice system, including jails and law enforcement. "For jails, anytime you have somebody in your custody, you are absolutely required to provide the best ... care of that individual," the staff member said, adding that adverse incidents in custody can generate multimillion-dollar claims and that Washington's joint-and-several-liability rules can expose counties to large payouts.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said adding an alternate director to the risk pool would deepen the county's bench for insurance oversight and coordination with the pool's actuaries and broker. Staff said the county relies on an insurance broker, Gallagher, and on actuarial presentations when the pool gathers to set coverage and retention layers.

Details: Staff explained the common structure used by the pool: the pooled counties self-insure the first portion of a claim, then successive insurers layer coverage up to higher limits. Staff described options counties use for additional excess coverage beyond the pool, noting that some counties elect extra layers and others do not.

The board did not record a formal vote during the work session. Commissioners instructed staff to move the item forward for follow-up and drafting of a resolution to amend the county's participation and designate an additional alternate director.

Discussion versus decision: Staff provided background and recommended adding an alternate director. Commissioners asked clarifying questions and requested a short public explanation of what the county's risk portfolio covers. The board directed staff to draft the formal resolution and return it for action at a future meeting; the transcript records no final formal adoption during the Aug. 4 session.

Context and mitigation steps: Staff described several loss-prevention investments recommended by the pool, including medical monitoring technologies, additional on-site medical staff and substance-use specialists, and accreditation efforts for the sheriff's office. Those measures were presented as loss-mitigation steps that can reduce the frequency or severity of claims and, in turn, help stabilize insurance costs.

Next steps: Staff said they would circulate a draft resolution to designate an alternate director for the Washington counties'risk pool and provide more detail about the county's exposures and mitigation efforts when the board takes the item up for formal action.