Committee approves $1.5 million insurance renewal after single-bid process

The Coffee County Budget & Finance committee approved an insurance renewal package on May 28 totaling roughly $1,525,600 after staff reported only one bid was received in the solicitation period.

Mariana and county staff summarized the procurement: the county solicited a multi-layer municipal insurance package (three-year bid with optional extensions), posted in the paper and on the county website; the bid opening received a single submission. The county’s broker, Laura Young Michael of Public Risk Insurers, and an insurance representative (John McCord) presented the package and described coverage components, the small overall premium increase and the carrier’s municipal experience.

The bid breakouts included property and equipment coverage, cyber insurance, general liability, an umbrella policy, professional liability, auto and physical damage, workers’ compensation, and ambulance coverage. Line items the packet listed included property, equipment and cyber costs; the total package amount reported to the committee was approximately $1,525,600 and the premium increase was roughly $20,000 (about 1.3% of the prior package), consistent with increased replacement-cost property values and some additional fleet and building exposure.

John McCord described Travelers as a “leading market in municipality business,” emphasized local claims support, and said the carrier can litigate claims when necessary rather than settle routinely. Commissioners asked how competitiveness was verified when only one bid arrived; the broker and staff explained that apples‑to‑apples comparisons are difficult across carriers and that municipal specialty markets and pools vary in capacity. Staff said quarterly payment was available and that deductibles and policy limits were included in the meeting packet.

Mr. Broom moved to approve the insurance renewal; Mr. Chambers seconded and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.