Colmar Manor council asks Legit to consider coverage that doesn’t require MML membership

Colmar Manor’s council voted Jan. 20 to send a letter to the Local Government Insurance Trust (Legit) asking the trust to consider amending its bylaws so municipalities could retain coverage even if they discontinued Maryland Municipal League (MML) membership.

Mayor Monica read a draft letter that described mounting dissatisfaction among some small municipalities with MML governance and said tying Legit coverage to MML membership effectively creates a "hostage" situation for smaller towns that have limited alternatives. The letter requests that Legit consider a governance change that would allow municipalities to remain in Legit’s insurance pool regardless of MML membership status, while making clear the town is not declaring an intent to leave MML.

Council members asked staff whether Legit currently excludes non‑MML municipalities; staff and others on the call said Legit is a self‑insurance pool that generally provides coverage to MML member municipalities and that nonmember participation is possible but not assured under current arrangements. One councilor noted Port Tobacco’s reported plans to exit MML and said other municipalities have raised similar concerns.

Council voted to approve the town sending and endorsing the letter and authorized staff to add language that reflects the letter is sent on behalf of the mayor and council.

What happens next: staff will finalize the letter and submit it to Legit ahead of its upcoming board meeting. The council’s action asks Legit to initiate a policy discussion; any change would be subject to Legit’s governance process.