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Council briefed on workers’ compensation premium estimate and seeks extension on liability coverage
Summary
Staff told council the city received an estimated Bureau of Workers' Compensation retro program premium of $233,851 and will ask to extend Selective liability coverage through Sept. 1 at an estimated cost of roughly $25,000 per month; legislation is planned for Monday's agenda.
Finance staff told the City Council at the June 17 work session that the city was invited to participate in the Ohio Public Treasurers Retro Group for workers' compensation coverage and that an estimated premium for the program is $233,851 for 2026.
Katie Nisling, who presented the items, said the retro group offered the city a contractual arrangement and that Sedgwick — the city's third-party administrator (TPA) for claims management — would continue to serve. Nisling said the TPA fee is $8,325, due in September. "This year, for 2026, we've been invited again to the Ohio Public Treasurers Retro Group," Nisling said, giving the $233,851 estimate and noting the $8,325 TPA cost.
On liability insurance, Nisling said the city's carrier, Selective, has shifted market levels to a new underwriter and the renewal process requires additional underwriting review. Because of that change staff asked council to authorize legislation on Monday to permit an extension of the current policy through Sept. 1 while the new underwriter completes its review. Nisling said the vendor quoted roughly $25,000 for one month of extension and she proposed an extension authorization "not to exceed $65,000" to cover up to two months if needed.
Nisling also said the city's crime coverage is written through Travelers and will require a separate authorization to continue that policy for 2025–26.
Council members asked for comparisons to prior premiums. Nisling said the workers' compensation estimate is roughly $5,000 higher than last year and that she would provide historical numbers to the city manager. Council discussion included questions about shopping carriers; staff said Selective currently allows certain fire training activities that some other carriers had declined to cover.
Both the workers' compensation participation and the liability extension will be presented to council as legislation on Monday; no vote occurred during the work session.
