County attorney urges clearer special-event insurance rules, including liquor and commercial-auto coverage

County Attorney Morgan Smith told the Commission she has been reviewing the county's Special Event Permit form and recommended several clarifications to reduce liability exposure and align with guidance from MMIA and local brokers. "If we are permitting an event where alcohol will be served on county property, we need to make sure that either the host or the individual serving the alcohol has a liquor liability policy," Morgan Smith said, adding that event-specific endorsements and naming the county as an additional insured are important protections.

Smith outlined specific concerns: certificates that simply reproduce a host's general liability policy may not be sufficient, food trucks and vendors often provide the required commercial-auto coverage, and organizers should be asked to provide endorsement pages that show additional-insured status rather than only a certificate of insurance. She said MMIA guidance indicates adding an additional insured endorsement is often no-cost on larger policies and may cost $50–$250 for one-time events. CEO Bill Everett supported the effort as a practical update to reduce county exposure while avoiding unnecessary burdens on recurring, well-managed events. The item was referred back to the County Attorney's office for drafting updated language and procedures.