Commissioners to shop for insurance

The board voted to notify its liability and property insurer, the Washington Rural Counties Insurance Pool, on its intent to withdraw from the pool on August 31, 2013.

The notice is required by the county's membership in the pool. The move allows the board to contact other carriers, such as the Washington Association of Counties (WASC), to compare rates and coverage. If the board finds no benefit to switching carriers, it can rescind the notice and maintain membership in the rural counties' pool.

Commissioner Blair Brady supported the move and voted for his motion to send the letter.

"I shop my personal insurance around every few years and see what's out there," he said, "and I think it's prudent for the county to do the same.

"It may show we have the best deal out there."

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla, who is a member of the rural counties pool board of directors, opposed the proposal and voted against it. The pool is doing a good job for the county, she said. The letter would send a bad message to the other pool members, she said. She added that a representative of the WASC program had recently told the board that there likely would be no cost savings if the county switched to their program.

"I believe we can shop without the letter," she added.

Commission Chair Dan Cothren was torn on which way to vote.

He agreed with Marsyla that the letter could send a wrong message and that the pool has done a good job for the county. He also said he had checked with the county auditor's office, which would supply the information for a new quote, and learned that the office would have to make time to do the research, and that would be a burden.

"It's prudent to shop," Brady said. "Other pool members do this, and if it's a large workload, we can stop."

Cothren agreed with Brady's points. He called for the vote, and the motion passed with him and Brady voting in favor and Marsyla opposing.