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Bonner County Ambulance District approves VFIS commercial insurance proposal
Summary
The Bonner County Ambulance Service District voted to retain VFIS for commercial insurance at an annual cost of $37,563, with the chair authorized to sign administratively and a standard contract addendum to be included.
The Bonner County Ambulance Service District voted to retain VFIS to provide its commercial insurance coverage at an annual cost of $37,563, and authorized the chair to sign the proposal administratively with a standard contract addendum included.
The district’s chief, Lindsey, told the board the district received two quotes and that the VFIS proposal was the lower: “this quote here ... is $37,005.63,” she said, and later explained VFIS offered risk-management services tailored to fire and ambulance organizations. District attorney Bill told the board he has worked with VFIS frequently and “firmly supports” choosing VFIS.
The nut graf: Board members discussed whether the motion should explicitly authorize administrative signature and require statutory or state-mandated contract language be appended. A commissioner said the state — not the county — requires the addendum language and that any final signing should include that language.
Board discussion focused on why VFIS’s quote was substantially lower than the other bidder and on the nonpremium services VFIS offers. Lindsey said VFIS risk staff conducted an hourlong review of district operations, identified items the district should change, and assigned a risk manager with prior experience as a paramedic. She said those risk-management services can reduce claims exposure and thereby lower premiums. “They are the largest provider for emergency service insurance,” Lindsey said, describing how VFIS mitigates risk through training and practices tailored to fire and ambulance providers.
During deliberations commissioners asked whether the proposal constitutes final contract approval or only authorization to retain the vendor; the district clarified the motion authorizes retention and that the chair will sign administratively and the final document will include the standard amendment. The motion was put to roll call; Mr. Williams and Mr. Delaney were recorded as voting yes.
The district will append the state-required contract language before signature and proceed with VFIS as its commercial insurer.
