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Morrow County board approves raising liability deductible to $50,000 to cut premiums
Summary
Finance staff recommended changing the county’s liability coverage from an aggregate $20,000 to a $50,000 per‑occurrence deductible, citing a 10‑year loss history and projected annual premium savings of roughly $80,000; the board approved the change for FY‑27 and authorized continued pursuit of insurance savings.
Finance manager Michelle Kessel presented a 10‑year analysis of the county’s general and auto liability experience and recommended increasing the county’s deductible to reduce annual premiums.
Kessel told the board the county’s losses over the decade totaled about $173,000 and that moving to a $50,000 per‑occurrence deductible would put the county ‘‘about $80,000 a year’’ ahead on premiums while still leaving manageable exposure for the county’s reserves. Finance staff and the county administrator both expressed support for the change as a measured cost‑saving step.
Commissioners pressed on risk exposure, contingency and reserve planning; the finance director noted the county’s fiscal position and planned reserves made the shift reasonable. The board voted to approve the transition to a $50,000 per‑occurrence liability deductible beginning in FY‑27 and authorized staff to continue pursuing insurance‑related cost reductions.
Administration and finance said they will reflect the change in the FY‑27 budget and continue outreach to departments to maintain loss‑prevention best practices.
The motion passed with a voice vote; staff noted the change alters underwriting structure from an aggregate $20,000 to per‑occurrence coverage and will be incorporated into procurement and policy documents.
