Polk County commissioners approve fixed-cost workers' compensation plan as premium rises

Polk County Board of Commissioners on June 17 approved a fixed-cost workers' compensation insurance plan with SAFE after county staff said the county's experience rating increased, driving a higher premium.

County risk-management staff recommended choosing a fixed-cost policy rather than re-entering a retroactive loss-sharing plan. "This year, I'm recommending the fixed cost plan," said Mister Henson, who presented the item to the board. Henson told commissioners the recommended premium would be about $330,000, an increase of roughly $70,000 from last year, and that the main driver was the county's experience rating.

Henson said the experience rating used to set premiums is based on claims from the three prior years. "This year, it went up from 0.79 to 0.9," he said, adding that payroll and job-classification rates also affect the final cost. He noted that SAFE is the primary insurer available to government entities locally and that private-sector options such as Liberty Northwest are no longer available for the county.

Following the presentation, the board voted to approve the coverage and authorized staff to sign the paperwork. Henson moved the motion; a commissioner seconded. "All those in favor, please say aye," the presiding commissioner said. The board recorded ayes and the motion passed. Commissioner Pope was noted as absent for the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approval of the meeting agenda: Passed (ayes recorded; one commissioner absent). - Approval of minutes to the June meeting: Passed (ayes recorded; one commissioner absent). - Approval of workers' compensation insurance (fixed-cost plan with SAFE): Passed; recommended by staff; premium presented as about $330,000, an increase of about $70,000 from the prior year; outcome: approved (ayes recorded; one commissioner absent).

The board concluded the meeting shortly after the insurance vote and adjourned.