Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Insurance Brokerage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hillside board debates switching insurance broker; financial consent items approved amid calls for more information
Summary
Board members debated an amendment to replace the district's broker of record for motions 6 through 9 with Brown & Brown and NISAR. The amendment was proposed and seconded, drew questions about the prior RFP and whether short presentations were adequate, and was not adopted; the board then approved the financial consent agenda with some members later noting abstentions on items 6 through 9.
An amendment to replace the district's broker of record for finance motions 6 through 9 drew extended debate at the Hillside Public School District board meeting Dec. 1.
Mr. Shapiro proposed amending motions 6 through 9 to substitute RD Parisi with Brown and Brown and NISAR so those firms could bind coverage and try to negotiate lower rates. The motion was seconded and brought to discussion, but several board members said they were not comfortable making a decision on limited information and asked for fuller presentations and documentation of prior RFP results.
Board members repeatedly noted that an RFP had been run and the committee had made a determination; other members said switching brokers could present an opportunity to reduce costs and that trying the alternative for a limited trial period would not harm coverage. The transcript records concerns about whether the brief presentation from the Brown and Brown representative was sufficient and whether the district would truly see lower premiums.
After discussion, the amendment did not carry. The board proceeded to consider the full financial consent agenda. Member Hargrave moved items 1 through 9 on the financial agenda; a roll-call vote was recorded and the motion passed. A board member stated they would vote for items 1 through 5 and abstain on items 6 through 9 for reasons noted during the debate.
The board did not adopt a formal directive to staff to change brokers at this meeting; rather, members asked for more information and presentations to evaluate broker proposals against the committee's earlier work.
The board moved on after approving the consent items.
