Committee approves using remaining insurance risk-management fund balance to defend claims

Staff presented a budget amendment to allow the insurance risk-management fund to use remaining fund balance to pay for defense of claims, including workers' compensation, employee liability, property insurance and other claims. Finance Director Misty said the proposed amendment would use nearly everything expected to remain in that fund at the end of 2026, with the intention of rebuilding the fund balance over coming years if claims do not continue to rise.