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Putnam County approves insurance deductible changes as EPIC warns of shortfall
Summary
Commissioners approved higher deductibles and an EPIC recommended insurance option after EPIC warned that workers' compensation and property exposures will raise 2026 premiums; county officials were told the changes still leave a projected $42,000 gap that must be addressed by the County Council.
Commissioners on the Putnam County Board approved adjustments to county insurance coverage after a presentation by John Parmley of EPIC, the county's insurance representative.
Parmley told the board that workers' compensation premiums rose in 2026 because of county salary increases and the lingering effect of a prior $2.3 million claim; he said that latter claim "should fall off this next year." Parmley recommended the county stay with IPEP for workers' compensation.
On automotive coverage, Parmley said premiums rose about 5% statewide and recommended increasing the physical‑damage deductible from $1,000 to $2,500. Commissioners were told that raising the deductible would reduce the county's premium exposure by roughly $18,000. Parmley also advised gradually increasing the insured values of county buildings by approximately one‑third each year to avoid a large premium jump in future years.
Commissioner Andy Beck moved to approve the deductible increases and to adopt EPIC's submitted Option 2; Rick Woodall seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the changes. Parmley warned that, even with the deductible increases and other adjustments, the county faces a projected shortfall of about $42,000 in this year's budget that will require an additional appropriation request to the County Council.
County Attorney Jim Ensley and Auditor Kristina Berish were asked to coordinate the paperwork and present the additional appropriation request to the Council. The board did not take further fiscal actions during the meeting; Beck asked that the Council consider the funding request at its next meeting.
