Richmond renews insurance with Star, switches mass-notification vendor to Regroup and swears in new police officer

The Richmond City Council on Sept. 23 approved multiple administrative items including a property and liability insurance renewal, a vendor change for mass notifications, and the appointment of a new police officer.

Insurance: Representatives from Mike Keith Insurance and Star Insurance Company presented the city’s renewal. Staff reported the total annual premium rising from $238,624 in FY25 to $269,418 in FY26, a $30,794 increase (12.90%) primarily attributable to a 10% adjustment in insured property values; optional terrorism coverage was quoted at $913. The council voted 6-0 to accept Star Insurance as the city’s carrier and to waive the optional terrorism coverage.

Mass notifications: Staff proposed replacing the city’s current mass-notification vendor, TextCaster, with Regroup. Regroup offered a three-year contract for $5,625 that includes 250,000 text messages per year and carries no subscriber fees. Staff noted the city had spent $3,215.88 with TextCaster in the current year and that Regroup service can begin Oct. 1, 2025. The council authorized the City Administrator to execute the Regroup contract; the motion passed 6-0.

Personnel: Mayor Mike Wright announced the appointment of Police Officer Kenneth Stieh; City Clerk Saige Mason administered the oath of office.

Why it matters: the insurance renewal affects city-level risk management and budgeted insurance costs; the vendor switch potentially changes how the city communicates during emergencies and routine outreach; the sworn officer fills a personnel position in the police department.

All administrative measures passed on unanimous voice or roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting minutes.