County hears overview of TAC Risk Management Pool services, training and upcoming cyber coverage split

Cooke County commissioners on Tuesday heard a presentation from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool (TAC RMP) describing coverages, training and an upcoming administrative change to cyber insurance.

The presentation, given by risk management consultant Lisa McCaig and human-resources consultant Haley Beaver, reviewed county liability policies including auto, general liability, public officials, law enforcement, property and workers' compensation. McCaig told the court that cyber coverage will be separated out "as a stand alone coverage" at the public officials coverage renewal in August, and that the county's IT director and county staff will receive a questionnaire tied to that renewal.

The consultants outlined services available through TAC RMP, including free trainings already paid for as part of the county's coverage. "They are not, they are covered in the cost of the coverages that you already, that we already cover for you," Beaver said when asked whether the trainings carry an additional fee. The pool also provides law-enforcement and courthouse-security training through a regional law-enforcement consultant, Kenny Lemons, and a risk-control consultant position remains vacant while TAC continues recruitment.

McCaig said her role includes coordinating with the auditor's office and the court on county liability exposures. Beaver described up to nine types of HR trainings TAC can provide to reduce wrongful-termination, harassment and discrimination exposures.

The presenters offered to provide trainings locally; the court did not take action on the presentation itself.

The court later acknowledged that TAC will run at least one safety course in May, including a traffic-safety program called "Below 100" aimed at reducing line-of-duty deaths among emergency responders, and encouraged county responders and staff to attend.