Commission hears plea to pause switch from FMIT to PRM; city manager agrees to public analysis

Clay Austin, representing the Florida League of Cities, urged the St. Augustine City Commission to pause the administration's planned switch from FMIT to PRM and to conduct a formal competitive solicitation.

"FMIT has insured St. Augustine's property and casualty program for 46 of the past 48 years," Austin said, arguing that FMIT's dedicated coverage and coordinated disaster recovery are advantages. He warned that PRM's shared $100,000,000 wind limit, which is split among roughly 60 municipalities, could be quickly exhausted in a severe storm; he also highlighted exit fees and the possibility that under PRM some legal expenses would come out of the liability limit available for claims. Austin said FMIT had offered a renewal that could save the city "more than $600,000" compared with the expiring premium and asked the commission to "pause the October 1 move, renew FMIT coming year, and then conduct a formal RFP."

City Manager Ruben Franklin responded to commissioners' questions about timing and procurement constraints, saying the League's policy was not renewed and noting the city's need to respond before the October 1 expiration. He told the commission, "I believe it's... over now. I mean, the... Florida League of Cities policy was not renewed, and it expires on October 1." Franklin agreed that he would prepare and present his analysis of the two proposals, describing the advantages and disadvantages that informed the administrative decision.

The exchange prompted several commissioners to seek greater transparency about costs, exit provisions, and comparative coverage. One commissioner asked for a public presentation that "shows... the advantages, disadvantages of each one, and this is why I made the choice." Franklin agreed to bring that report to a future meeting.

What happens next: The city manager said he will prepare a public analysis that compares PRM and FMIT and present it to the commission at a subsequent meeting so commissioners and the public can evaluate the procurement decision.