MOUNT VERNON — Knox County’s property and liability insurance premium will increase 5.05 percent this year, but that is much less than the two previous double-digit increases.
Sherry Barbosky, underwriting manager for the County Risk Sharing Authority, said CORSA’s program-wide increase was 5 percent.
CORSA is a member-owned risk-sharing pool through the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.
“We were thrilled with that because with the insurance market, especially in the area of reinsurance, we were at 12 percent last year and 10 percent the year before,” Barbosky told the commissioners on Thursday.
“Knox County itself incurred a 5.05 percent increase, so you were right there with us.”
The increase equates to an additional $16,430.
The 2025 reappraisal resulted in a $26 million increase in values. Additionally, the county added the new transit hub on Chestnut Street in Heartland Commerce Park to the policy.
“Your loss ratio is good. Your rates were flat, but you incurred more stuff, so that’s where you’re 5% came in,” Barbosky said.
Knox County is now insured for $227,350,318. Exposure risk includes 163 autos, 41 deputies, 79 detainees in the jail, and $24.44 million in payroll.
The county received $40,386 in credits that reduced the premium. Of the $40,386, $30,566 was in dividends; the $9,820 came through the loss control incentive program.
“I want to say kudos to those who worked in loss control to achieve that, because you were at 100% of what was available for you. Not all of our members achieve 100%,” Barbosky said.
Knox County attained Tier 1, the highest available cyber coverage limit ($2 million). Tiers depend on meeting multi-factor authentication criteria.
Barbosky said the majority of counties fell in Tier 2.
“Your IT got you there,” Barbosky said. “It’s a great reflection of the work you do here.”
Policy enhancements and incentives
The May 1 renewal policy includes replacement coverage for equipment damaged in a law enforcement vehicle accident.
Previously, CORSA settled auto claims on an actual cash value basis and provided a credit for the removal of damaged equipment. However, Barbosky said the method used to determine a replacement cost was a hassle for CORSA’s members.
CORSA will still settle auto claims on a cash basis, but now covers the damaged equipment up to $50,000.
Knox County will submit a claim for damage sustained at the fairgrounds during the March 13 windstorm once the fair board provides a formal estimate.
911 calls up slightly in March
Operations Director Laura Webster reported the 911 center dispatched fire, EMS, or law enforcement on 4,587 calls for service in March.
The most common calls include disturbance (110), domestic violence (42), mental (125), and attempt/threat suicide (25). Drug overdoses accounted for seven, and another 14 were drug-related.
911 calls totaled 1,935, with 5,807 non-emergency calls. Dispatchers made 3,058 outgoing calls.
The peak day for all calls was Friday. The peak hour for 911 calls was 4 p.m; for non-emergency 3 p.m.
“It’s pretty much business as usual down there as far as their numbers and everything are going,” Webster told the commissioners.
New dispatch stations are scheduled to be installed on June 2; the center recently replaced four desktops on the existing stations.
Webster expects to launch the state ESINet (Emergency Services IP Network) in May.
ESINet connects Knox County’s 911 center with the state and other participating centers.
“It will make transferring of calls and location and all of that a lot easier. It also will give us the ability for text and video to 911 for our county,” she said.
“We’re pretty excited to get that rolled out, and I’m excited to get it done before I retire because we’ve been waiting for a while.”
Webster said two full-time and one part-time dispatcher joined the center and are in training. She is looking to fill three more full-time positions.
The center will celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week April 12 to 18. Activities include themed dress and food, as well as prizes and awards.
“I truly believe they deserve that week, beyond that week, but especially that week,” Webster said.
Legislative action
Legislative action last week included setting the 2027 water and sewer rates in the Little Jelloway Area of the Knox County Sewer District at $14 and $5, respectively.
The commissioners took the following additional actions:
• Approved the Expedited Type 2 annexation of 56.618 from Hilliar Township to the Village of Centerburg. Commissioner Barry Lester noted that the commissioners must approve the annexation if both the township and the village approve, which they did.
• Authorized the county to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s road salt program.
• Approved the first payment ($11,100) to CDC of Ohio for administering the CDBG critical infrastructure grant.
• Approved the Knox County Park District’s grant application to ODNR for rehabilitation and repair on the Heart of Ohio Trail.
• Accepted the deposit and investment income report for March ($209,632.43).
