CUSTER COUNTY—The issue of clarity needs to be addressed when it comes to insurance coverage for Custer County. During Tuesday’s regular Board of Supervisors meeting, board members were in agreement that insurance policies need to be reviewed to make sure adequate coverage is secured when it comes to the county’s liability.
In October of 2017, the supervisors approved a three-year agreement between the county and the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA) who offer a range of property and liability coverages tailored to meet the needs of counties who are members of the co-op. This agreement was approved in the form of a resolution which caused many of the board members to be hesitant about making a change.
Nate Bell and Jack Lindstrom with Universal Insurance Agency along with Erin Ball of Ball Insurance Services out of Eagle, Nebraska presented to the board their experience insuring public entities with the goal of providing the proper coverage.
Ball presented information based on the board’s previous policy but noticed many things had been left out and told the board the “policy needs thorough review of what’s covered and what’s not,” to which board members agreed that more research needs to be done before a decision can be made.
The premium would be approximately $156,405 with Ball and $181,134 with NIRMA, not including a $23,000 dividend rebate with NIRMA.
Matt Eggleston made a motion to accept the bid with Universal Insurance Agency and Doug Stunkel seconded. After much discussion regarding the need to change the current resolution, the motion failed.
Also on Tuesday morning, Extension Educator Troy Walz presented his budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year but no decisions were made. The board approved utilizing the services of Bob Beran with Dana F. Cole Company out of Grand Island to do the county budget.
Westbrook Audio gave a bid for microphones and speakers for the board room but no decisions were made. The supervisors approved signing the Central Sandhills Community Wildfire Protection Plan Agreement as per the recommendation of Emergency Manager Mark Rempe.
An application to cross county right-of-way was approved and the board will reach out to local schools regarding a need of the former courthouse chairlift. The board will also be reviewing maintenance/janitorial duties at the courthouse and the possibility of buying a new dryer.
