Commission hears insurance and retirement levy impacts; directs staff to seek full permissive SRS levy amount

County finance staff flagged several mandatory cost increases that will affect the operating budget and available mills.

On liability insurance, staff told the commission the county faces about a $140,000 increase, with roughly $56,000 required from ongoing operating mills and about $92,000 to be borne by voted mill levies or enterprise funds. For workers' compensation, finance staff identified an increase of about $143,000 with approximately $60,000 required from tax-supported funds and the remainder from other sources.

Staff attributed the insurance increases to both added property value and market-wide premium increases: the county added the Quartz building to the insured schedule, raising exposure and premiums, and premium rates are rising in the current insurance market.

The permissive sheriff's retirement system (SRS) levy also required commission direction. Finance staff said a recent law change made an increase retroactive and asked the commission for permission to levy the maximum available permissive amount for SRS; the county could compute the exact dollar levy once clarifications from the state are complete. A commissioner moved to direct finance staff to levy the full available amount; the motion carried. Commissioners emphasized they would receive the final computed amount in August.

Unemployment insurance also rose; finance quantified the increase as $26,930 for tax-supported funds and $14,000 for non-tax funds. Staff recommended these ongoing increases not be covered with one-time funds because the costs will continue into future budgets.

The commission approved the slate of insurance and associated lines presented on the budget spreadsheet by voice vote.