WALTHALL — The cost of renewing Webster County’s property and liability insurance is up $25,000 from last year because of inflation and other factors.
The Board of Supervisors voted March 20 to continue its insurance coverage for property and liability with the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Insurance Trust through Tabb South Insurance of Houston.
Supervisors did so after Tabb South’s Mary Margaret Williams presented the renewal proposal for 2023, which will be from April 1-March 31, 2024. The renewal cost is $174,211, representing an increase in the premium of about $25,000 from last year.
Williams told the board that inflation, reinsurance costs and claims are the main reason for the increase. The proposal shows a loss ratio of 113%, meaning MASIT lost money last year in providing coverage for the county. She said three claims (lawsuits) are still open.
The policy includes “Public Officials Errors and Omissions Liability and Employment Practices Liability” coverage for an annual contribution of $31,678, which Williams said is up $18,000.
The board voted to continue its insurance coverage with MASIT through Tabb South. This will be from April 1-March 31, 2024.
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EWP Projects
Phillip Evans with Willis Engineering presented supervisors with copies of the plan of operations for Emergency Watershed Protection projects being submitted to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The projects involved are the Cadaretta Road, Hatcher Road, Old Walthall Road and Sun Creek Bank Stabilization emergency watersheds.
Sheriff David Gore said the county has received official notification from USDA Rural Development in Starkville of a grant for a facility that will house a new detention.
“It’s going well,” he said of the collaboration with Belinda Stewart Architects in the design process. He also said the firm is seeking additional grants for the facility.
As reported previously, that grant of $3 million is for the Webster County Operations Center. It will not only house the Sheriff’s Office, but Emergency Operations Center as well as Justice Court and will be a command center in times of natural or manmade disasters.
