Commissioners review proposed one‑year renewal for jail medical director; malpractice insurance cost flagged

County staff presented an agenda item on Nov. 13 proposing to reject competing bids for inmate medical care and to approve a one‑year renewal with medical director Dr. Philip Malvasey to continue medical services at the Trumbull County Adult Justice Center.

The paperwork presented lists a monthly contract amount of $95,604.25, which annualizes to about $1,147,250. Officials said recent cost increases were driven in part by higher medical malpractice insurance premiums. To address that increase, staff asked the county to pay one‑third of the cost of a three‑year malpractice “tail” policy, with the remaining two‑thirds allocated to two other parties identified in the item.

Commissioners said they had not reviewed the full contract text during the meeting and asked the prosecutor's office to confirm legal and fiscal implications. One commissioner noted the presented figure is lower than other bids the county has received in prior rounds but said renewing an existing agreement for a limited term could be reasonable while the county evaluates alternatives.

No final vote to approve the renewal was recorded on Nov. 13; the item was presented as part of the agenda and discussed for clarification. Commissioners asked staff to ensure the county's obligations with respect to malpractice coverage and contract terms are fully documented before formal approval.