Budget committee deadlocks, forwards Kallo Insurance workmen's comp contract without recommendation

The Jackson County Budget Committee considered a 12‑month term contract (with a 12‑month option to extend) with Kallo Insurance Services of Overland Park, Kansas, to provide third‑party administrative services for the county's workmen's compensation program under RFP #203‑369. Interim Human Resources Director Gina Campbell said staff is pursuing an option already in the original RFP because the previous option period had expired; she apologized that the contract lapsed while staff worked through procurement timelines.

Campbell described the primary recurring cost structure as dependent on claims activity and noted a one‑time annual program administrative fee of $10,000. "The contract has expired, and this is simply to exercise an option to keep the work comp going," Campbell said, adding that the fee and other costs vary based on claims.

Committee members asked whether the expired option required re‑bidding and sought clarity on the original contract duration and option history. The transcript shows a motion to recommend adoption resulted in a tie; the committee chair stated the result was 2–2 and the committee will forward the contract to the legislature "without recommendation." The transcript does not record a roll‑call of who voted yes or no.

Why it matters: The contract affects how the county administers workmen's compensation claims and the timing of invoices and service continuity; forwarding without recommendation passes the decision to the full legislature.

What happens next: The item will go to the legislature for consideration without a committee endorsement.