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Commissioners approve $1.74M insurance renewal, tower lease gains and routine contracts
Summary
The board approved the county's 2026 property and casualty renewal totaling $1,739,611, accepted a negotiated SBA Towers lease that raised long-term revenues, and approved several routine contracts and project advertisements.
County insurance broker High Street Insurance presented the 2026 property and casualty renewal and said the total renewal premium across all lines is $1,739,611, about a 7% increase from the prior term. "Total renewal premium for the 2026 term across all lines of business, $1,739,611. That is just over 7% increase from the 2026 term," Rob Schabel said. Commissioners approved the renewal by voice vote.
On a separate item, staff reported a negotiated settlement with SBA Towers on a legacy tower lease. Scott said negotiations produced a higher overall contract value and an upfront signing payment. He described moving the total contract value from about $450,000 to roughly $875,000 and noted an approximate $50,000 signing payment; the board voted to accept the agreement.
The board also approved several routine departmental actions by voice vote—accepting highway bids, authorizing advertising for the Hidden Hollow reconstruction project, approving a canopy reroof base bid for 157 Franklin at $16,325, and approving a NIPSCO fiber relocation costing $9,759.86 to be paid from the Valparaiso highway bond.
Why it matters: the insurance renewal sets the county's risk-management costs for the year; the tower lease negotiation increased long-term revenue potential. Routine procurement and repair approvals allow departments to proceed with maintenance and capital projects during construction season.
