County staff warns of steeply higher cyber-insurance premium; deadline to secure coverage next week

Makeisha Cleckley and commission staff updated the commission on the county's cyber insurance coverage, reporting that the coverage was separated out from the broader policy and that the new premium has increased significantly. Staff said the participation of other counties in the pooled purchase affects the premium and that if some counties opt out the cost could increase further. "This is typically the cheaper option," one staff member said when asked whether counties find alternate coverage, but a speaker also noted the premium has "increased by almost 5 times".

Staff said there is a near-term deadline to secure coverage (they noted a Monday deadline) and stressed the county needs cyber coverage. Commissioners asked whether staff had investigated alternatives; staff said they would attempt to find options but the timeframe is constrained. No formal vote was taken during the work session; staff indicated they will proceed to finalize coverage ahead of the stated deadline.

Details discussed included the number of counties in the purchasing group (staff cited a figure of roughly 27 counties participating) and concern that nonparticipation by other counties could increase the premium for remaining participants. Commissioners discussed timing and the necessity of securing cyber coverage given prior incidents.