Weber County weighs switching workers' compensation coverage to a trust to cut costs

Weber County finance and HR staff presented an analysis of alternatives for the county's workers' compensation coverage at their May 18 work session, and commissioners discussed whether to move workers' comp to a county trust to reduce costs.

Emily Wild opened the presentation and turned the substantive review to Carrie Crowley, who said she had contacted neighboring counties and examined quotes. Crowley said the trust and WCF provided comparable premium estimates and that the trust would include a training module to be integrated into the county's HRIS at no charge. She told commissioners the trust appeared to offer the services the county needs for claims management and training.

Staff also noted that dividends the county has historically received from the current arrangement would not be paid if the county moved to the trust; the packet shows dividends historically in the roughly $35,000–$40,000 range (Crowley noted $36,000 for 2024). Commissioners discussed those figures against an estimated premium savings cited elsewhere in staff materials and were told staff's preliminary math still showed net savings over two years after removing dividends.

Commissioners asked about relationships with UCIP and the consequences of switching. The chair said he had discussed potential impacts with local UCIP staff and was told a county switch "wouldn't hurt Weber County" though it might shift costs to smaller counties. Staff reminded the board that July 1 is the six-month notice deadline for changing coverage and that any change would require contract and legal review before notice.

Next steps: staff will continue negotiations, perform legal and counsel reviews, and prepare materials for a decision before the July 1 notice deadline if the commission elects to proceed.