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Commissioners add workers' comp coverage for reserve law enforcement officers
Summary
The court approved adding class code 88560 to county workers' compensation to cover volunteer/reserve law enforcement officers. County officials discussed scope, estimated headcount (about 14 currently), and an insurance estimate of roughly $2,800 per year for coverage (about $140 per reserve).
Van Zandt County commissioners voted to modify the county's workers' compensation renewal to add class code 88560, extending coverage to volunteer law enforcement (reserve) officers.
A county law enforcement official described reserves as vital in a county of Van Zandt's size and urged coverage to protect both the county and reserves. "If we continue to ask those reserves to serve without being covered by workers' comp, in my opinion ... that is not a good use of taxpayer money," the official said, explaining that workers' compensation limits liability exposure for the county while providing set benefits to injured employees.
County staff said the number of reserves fluctuates but estimated about 14 reserves among seven county law enforcement agencies at present and noted the county had been as high as 20. An insurance estimate presented to the court put the annual cost for coverage at roughly $2,800 if covering up to 20 reserves — approximately $140 per reserve per year — and staff described coverage as effective immediately through the end of the calendar year for procurement and billing purposes.
The court directed that reserves will be enrolled through each department head notifying human resources when a reserve is brought on, and county staff said reserves would sign paperwork acknowledging coverage similar to what new employees sign. Commissioners emphasized that department heads must provide timely notification so payroll and human resources records match coverage lists.
A motion to approve the workers' compensation renewal to add class code 88560 and to authorize the county judge to sign the necessary documents passed by voice vote.
