Fulton County renews county insurance and signs off on routine contracts, transfers and laptop request

Fulton County commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 31 to accept a package of administrative items, including a recommendation to keep the county’s insurance relationships in place and multiple routine agreements and budget transfers.

Michael Bowditch of Consolidated Union told the board the county faces a 7.4% premium increase from the prior year but that, after accounting for exposure changes (six additional vehicles, a $560,000 payroll increase and modest property-value increases), the net increase is roughly 2%. He highlighted a drop in the county’s workers’ compensation experience modifier from 0.83 to 0.63 and recommended maintaining the county’s programs with Liberty Mutual and IPEP. “We’re experiencing a 7.4% increase in premium from last year to this year,” Bowditch said; commissioners moved and the renewal passed 3-0.

The board also approved a Polk County GIS limited-use agreement for stormwater through Christopher Burke Engineering (motion carried 3-0) and an EMA mitigation plan agreement (3-0), both described as having been reviewed in packet materials. Commissioners approved giving John authority to e-sign a community crossings LPA agreement and granted a 12-month waiver to a new highway mechanic to obtain a CDL.

On facilities, commissioners accepted a $3,200 commercial inspection quote from Aardvark (option 2) for the former medical clinic/Hough Building, pending council approval; that motion carried 3-0. The parks department laptop request (for Bill Walsh) was approved and multiple budget transfer requests to cover payroll and other shortages were authorized; the board also approved the Dec. 15 meeting minutes and a batch of claims and disbursements.

All routine approvals were recorded as unanimous (3-0). Several items noted in discussion—inspection options, details of the GIS agreement and the EMA mitigation plan—were described as having documentation in the commissioners’ packet.