Board told E-911 tower will be insured when acquired; county not yet owner

Melissa, a county staff member, told the LaSalle County board the county’s dispatch operates the E‑911 tower and that staff expected the county to add the tower to the county insurance schedule if and when ownership closes. “It's approximately $12,000,000 for the tower and, a small Quonset hut or a cement cinder block hut there. And, it's 400 feet high with guy wires, and, it costs annually approximately $6,000, 5,999 to insure it,” Melissa said.

Another staff member explained the county’s insurance policy contains automatic provisions for newly acquired property, so the tower is covered for a limited period; however, the board must vote to add the tower to the insurance schedule and pay any additional premium once the acquisition is finalized. “It is covered now, but we need a vote to, add it to the schedule and to pay the additional premium,” the presenter said.

The county attorney told the board the county did not yet own the property. “Also, just for the record, we don't own it yet according to the attorney,” a board member reported; Melissa said she was told the closing was expected within a few weeks and she would follow up so staff can add the property to the schedule when the sale completes.

Board members asked whether anything could be done to lower the insurance premium; staff said the tower’s height and exposure make it costly to insure and that there are limited mitigations that would materially reduce the premium. Staff said it will update the board when closing occurs and ensure the property is added to the insurance schedule.