Board asks finance committee to study funding for county self-insurance trust

The board reconvened from executive session and the Chair asked whether the group should take up a discussion on funding the county's self-insurance trust now or place the matter on next month's agenda. The Chair said the item could be deferred to allow finance staff time to prepare a recommendation.

A staff member told the board that the intent was to bring finance personnel in to provide a clearer picture of possible options and timelines. One member noted that the board itself does not have taxing authority for new revenue and that any substantive moves would likely wait for the next budget cycle.

The board discussed whether the trust should continue. A Committee member praised a memorandum circulated by staff, saying, "I do think Mike wrote a very good memorandum that he passed out to everyone." Several members said the trust has saved taxpayer money over the past two decades and expressed reluctance to dissolve it without exploring alternatives.

A staff member cautioned that dissolving the trust and returning to commercial insurance would require the county to establish a different mechanism to manage relations with insurers and to secure coverage; that person urged the board to consider alternatives before making a change.

The board generally supported having the finance committee study funding options and return with a recommendation; officials noted that if any bonding were involved the full board would need to take formal action. No final decision was made at the meeting.

The board directed staff and the finance committee to evaluate funding options for the trust and report back to the board for further consideration.