Commission approves agent commission and to pursue sheriff-vehicle insurance claim

At their Aug. 19 meeting, Daniels County commissioners voted to accept J. Perry Wolf as the county's agent at a 133% commission and to move forward with an insurance claim for a 2022 sheriff's Ford Explorer that was sideswiped, reportedly by Todd Nelson during a traffic stop.

The board heard staff explain that the vehicle damage estimate was approximately $1,577 and that the county would be limited to actual cash value for a vehicle claim. A representative said the carrier (maple/MOO guidance in the paperwork) would pursue subrogation on the county's behalf and that the county typically requests recovery of deductible amounts and administrative charges.

Commissioners approved the agent commission and then made a separate motion to submit the sheriff's vehicle claim and cover the deductible so the carrier could pursue subrogation. The motions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

County staff said they would obtain the claimant paperwork and the required deductible check and would forward the highway-control report from Josh Glover and relevant claim forms to the insurer. Commissioners also discussed two other insurance-related deductibles: a $5,000 deductible for a civil-rights claim and a $2,000 deductible for a motor grader that struck an electrical box; staff clarified which deductibles the county would pay.

No dollar recovery was reported at the meeting; staff said the insurer would pursue subrogation and return any recovered deductible to the county if successful. Commissioners did not set a separate timeline for resolution but directed staff to proceed with the claim paperwork.