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Commissioners discuss unclear surety bond coverage for elected officials after insurer change
Summary
County staff told the commission that changes in insurers left uncertainty about individualized surety bonds for elected officials; commissioners asked staff to obtain clarification and bring back documentation.
County staff raised concerns on June 3 about whether elected officials remain individually covered by surety bonds after the county’s property and liability coverage changed insurers.
Human-resources/finance staff reported that earlier insurance arrangements (with an insurer referenced as K Camp) included blanket coverage plus individualized bonds for some elected officials. When the county moved to a new carrier (EMC), staff found evidence that the individualized bonds may not have been carried forward and that current policy summaries do not clearly document separate surety bonds for certain offices.
Staff asked the commission for direction to review insurance policy language and to obtain individualized bonds or evidence of coverage that meet statutory minimum amounts for each elected office. One staff member noted that “each elected official has a different minimum amount by statute,” and recommended that the county obtain individualized surety bonds or updated paperwork from the insurer to satisfy statutory and practical needs.
Commissioners asked staff to investigate and bring back clear documentation of coverage and to place the matter on unfinished business for a later meeting. No formal action beyond a request for clarification was taken that day.
Ending: Staff will review insurance and bond documents, determine whether individualized surety bonds are required or present, and report back to the commission for potential procurement of separate bonds or revised policy language.
