Stark County sets $5 million minimum liability for Rough Rider Motorsports lease negotiations

The Stark County Park Board voted to set minimum insurance requirements for a proposed motorsports lease: $5 million in liability coverage and $250,000 for property damage. The board directed staff to incorporate those minimums into lease negotiations so the motorsports group could begin shopping for coverage ahead of a special meeting.

An insurance advisor cautioned the board that raising liability limits above older lease levels would increase premium costs for the racing association and may require specialty markets. "From your guys' perspective as the park board, to increase it is going to be substantially cheaper than it will be for the racing association," said Clint Sickler of Choice Insurance, adding a rough estimate that increasing umbrella coverage could add "probably 10 to 12,000" dollars in premium in some cases.

Board members and motorsports representatives discussed equipment responsibilities and whether county-owned graders and blades would be made available on a limited schedule for event preparation. The board asked staff to compare local tracks' insurance practices and to present the updated lease terms at a special meeting prior to upcoming planning-and-zoning and county commission reviews.

The motion to set the minimum insurance limits passed by voice vote. Staff will add the limits to the draft lease and circulate it to the motorsports group and county legal counsel for further review.