LaSalle County trust committee approves consultant and broker renewals, adopts Fund 99 budget and moves to executive session

Craig Emmett, chair of the LaSalle County Trust Committee, presided over a meeting that approved two contract renewals, adopted the proposed Fund 99 budget and voted to move into executive session to discuss probable or pending litigation and claims.

The committee approved a renewal of the county’s broker/consultant agreement with Marsh (formerly Horton) after staff advised the amended contract matches previously approved language. Jim, who presented the item, said the updated agreement restores wording that had been used in prior contracts and recommended the committee’s approval. A motion by member Small, seconded by Joe Savage, passed on a roll‑call vote with all present members recorded as "aye."

Why it matters: the broker relationship steers reinsurance and placement decisions the committee will consider this fall. Mike, the committee’s finance lead, told the committee Marsh will gather renewal terms and provide cost estimates by October, with final renewal decisions expected in November.

The committee also approved a renewal with Mike Nugent Consulting Group. Jim described the renewal as consistent with prior language with a small fee increase of roughly 3 percent; a figure near $36,080 was mentioned in the discussion but the presenter acknowledged he was relying on memory and said he would confirm the exact amount. The motion to renew Nugent Consulting passed on a roll‑call vote, with each present member voting "aye."

On finances, Mike reported the trust balance stood at $4,999,228 as of 06/30/2026 and summarized recent claims: "Month over month, we're, down 91,521," he said, and identified three new workers' compensation claims (total additional incurred about $55,016) and seven new property/casualty claims (additional incurred about $76,647), producing about $131,664 in additional incurred costs for the period. He characterized the month as an outlier and noted some claim details would be handled in executive session.

Melissa, who presented the Fund 99 budget packet, walked the committee through the revenue and expense pages, explaining principal and interest receipts tied to the 2019 bond and line‑item coding for claims, professional services and management fees. She told the committee she placed a 12 percent placeholder for reinsurance premium increases in the draft budget pending firm renewal figures from Marsh. "I am increasing that 12% right now," Melissa said of the placeholder for next‑year reinsurance premiums, and Mike described that as a conservative estimate until renewal terms arrive in the fall.

The committee then voted to adopt the Fund 99 budget as presented after brief clarifications; a motion by Billard, seconded by Emmett, passed on a roll‑call vote with all recorded members voting in favor. Melissa asked members to sign the budget package for return to the auditor and requested several years of final numbers for reference.

Finally, the committee voted to enter executive session to discuss probable or pending litigation, the establishment of reserves and claims. Jim cited statutory sections that could be pertinent to the discussion and a motion by Sinecki, seconded by Billard, carried on a roll‑call vote.

What’s next: staff will seek renewal terms from Marsh and return with cost estimates in October, finalize reinsurance decisions in November, provide requested budget backup and supplemental details on Nugent Consulting fees, and conduct the executive‑session discussion on claims and potential litigation.

Sources: Committee meeting transcript; speakers include Craig Emmett (chair), Mike (finance staff), Melissa (budget presenter), Jim (staff advisor).