SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
County council is investigating a way to help community groups deal with increasing insurance rates.
Community organizations are experiencing significant increases in insurance, Layne Johnson, the county’s director of corporate services, told council recently.
He said options were considered to make it less costly for groups such as suggesting that they consider increasing their deductible to reduce their premium.
“We’re talking about encouraging them (ie ag societies) to increase their deductible and if they do that, the funding that kicks in from the county would offset their cost in the event of a claim,” he said.
CAO Matt Fenske said an impact was seen on the county’s insurance rate when the Duchess soccer centre burned down November 2012.
Fenske suggested that while the county is in a relatively strong financial position, it could be an opportunity for some funds to be used to cover a deductible program.
“That leverages the county’s financial strength, it takes the requirement off the community groups to sock away funds for an increased deductible and long term, I’m hoping the county actually benefits by a reduced funding need,” he said.
“I think this is a potential win-win for the county and the community groups that council supports.”
Johnson said the replacement cost value is driving the overall increase and premium.
“Inflation has had a significant impact on the cost of construction and that’s what’s impacting your property insurance,” he said.
“If any of these options has the potential of lowering our insurance rates, I’d be willing to look into it,” said councillor Dan Short.
Darcy Hemsing, president of the Rolling Hills Ag Society hopes the county will be able to assist.
He said they receive about $250,000 from the county of which about $50,000 has to be used to insure recreation facilities in the hamlet.
Johnson will return to the council with a program for council to consider.
