County staff review CIS renewal; vacant‑building sublimit and premium shifts noted

Elena (risk advisor) and county staff briefed commissioners on June 25 about the county’s renewal with CIS (Councils of Insurance Services). Elena said CIS updated coverage language for 2025 and is adding a $100,000 sublimit for water damage to buildings that meet the plan’s definition of vacant (70% or more of square footage unused for 90 days). She warned that vacant structures lose several perils — vandalism, glass breakage, theft — and that counties should consider options to avoid the vacant classification if they have exposed buildings.

The presentation compared this year’s pricing to last year’s and noted that 2024’s large increase reflected the roll‑on of the Community Justice Center; when annualized, the premium increase attributable to rating factors was under 6 percent. Major drivers were growth in insured property and personnel/service exposures. Elena said the county’s claims modifier has remained relatively flat and that two high claims from 2021–22 will age out over the next two years.

Staff also reviewed the county’s alternate liability deductible plan, which shifts more initial risk to the county in exchange for credits; the county saved roughly $340,000 over six years while participating and has averaged about $57,000 per year in savings, according to the briefing. Elena recommended continued claim management, a CIS best‑practice survey and possible department‑level briefings on risk and claims.