§ 2-2-205. Fund accounting and payments.

(a)

The risk manager or other persons designated by the county attorney shall set a reserve on each disputed claim and all other lawsuits (except contract, mortgage, and eminent domain actions) received in the county attorney's office, and may later adjust reserve amounts higher or lower, as appropriate to ensure the actuarial soundness of the self-insurance fund.

(b)

The risk manager or other persons designated by the county attorney shall monitor third-party administrator billing practices, fund transfers and payouts for accuracy.

(c)

The county attorney and the risk manager or other persons designated by the county attorney shall analyze claims and payment trends, and, together with the county's financial management department, will recommend what funds to cover claims administration, commercial insurance, liability claims, automobile comprehensive and collision losses, workers' compensation benefits, and insurance reserves, and what should be budgeted each fiscal year to each elected official and unit of county government.

(d)

The risk manager or other persons designated by the county attorney shall arrange for polling of the insurance markets each year by one or more licensed, qualified insurance broker to obtain the best commercial coverage and premiums available, and shall recommend to the county attorney which forms and amounts of coverage should be purchased to protect the county from catastrophic losses. The qualified licensed broker will strive each year to place coverage with carriers that provide the broadest coverage forms that are the most cost effective. The broker(s) will perform a full marketing effort every few years and "soft market" each year a full marketing effort is not performed. The risk manager, through the county attorney, may bind coverages. However, the board must approve the purchase of all commercial insurance policies and authorize payment for them.

(e)

Unless otherwise provided by the board in a given instance or via the county budget process, payments for commercial insurance purchases shall be made from appropriated self-insurance funds. The fund shall bear the expense of excess property, liability and workers' compensation insurance. Units of county government will either pay premiums directly or reimburse the fund for specialty policies. For example, the utilities operations department shall pay for policies or the appropriate portion of policies covering the Lake Manatee Dam.

(f)

The self-insurance fund shall not pay for policies purchased by elected officials unless the purchase and payment of such policies is coordinated through the risk manager and is approved by the board of county commissioners.

(g)

The county attorney shall coordinate payment actions and procedures with the financial management department and the finance division of the clerk of the circuit court.

(h)

The clerk of the circuit court shall be responsible for administration of the financial affairs of the self-insurance fund, and shall expeditiously pay all approved claims, settlements and administrative costs from the fund.

(i)

To the extent required, the board may make supplemental appropriations to the self-insurance fund.

(Ord. No. 16-26 , § 2, 10-25-16)