Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Insurance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes manager to negotiate with Athens Insurance after RFQ and disclosures
Summary
Loudon City Council authorized the city manager to negotiate an agreement with Athens Insurance Agency for brokerage services following a qualifications-based RFQ and discussion of services and past ties. Manager Kevin Goen disclosed prior professional connections to Athens; an Athens representative described loss-control and HR services the firm would provide.
After a qualifications-based request for qualifications (RFQ), the Loudon City Council voted to authorize the city manager to negotiate an insurance-brokerage agreement with Athens Insurance Agency.
City Manager Kevin Goen explained the RFQ process and disclosed prior, non-procuring relationships with Athens — including that his former employer had been insured by Athens — to ensure transparency. An Athens representative described in-house loss-control services, OSHA/TOSHA training, mock audits, CPR and AED training, and an HR-policy offering as services the agency can provide at little or no extra cost to municipal clients.
Goen said Athens scored highest among respondents in a qualifications scoring process completed by senior staff and others. The utility board had earlier approved the same recommendation. During council discussion, members asked about the review panel and whether existing coverage would change; staff said coverage would remain the same in the immediate term and that the RFQ was to identify a broker/agent of record.
The motion to authorize the city manager to negotiate with Athens Insurance passed in the recorded vote noted in the minutes. Supporters cited the breadth of services and local experience; one council member abstained from score influence earlier in the process but Goen emphasized that scoring was done by multiple staffers and an independent comparison.
Why it matters: switching a broker or authorizing a new brokerage relationship determines who represents the city in placing and managing insurance policies and can change access to risk-management services and training. Manager Goen and Athens representatives emphasized additional services — such as mock inspections and HR policy support — that the firm says it will provide to help reduce loss exposure.
Next steps: the council authorized negotiation; staff will report back with negotiated terms and continue to keep the council apprised of any recommended contractual commitments.
