Wayne County begins July 1 with new insurance carrier

RICHMOND, Ind. — Wayne County's commissioners are changing the county's property and liability insurance carrier beginning Friday.

The commissioners awarded the insurance bid Wednesday to the Wayne County Insurance Group for $364,750. Lyons Insurance and Real Estate, VanVleet Insurance and Harrington Hoch Insurance represented the group, which will be the registered agent.

Gregory & Appel Insurance in Indianapolis is the broker for the policy from Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

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Commissioner Ken Paust said EPIC Insurance Midwest bid $36,000 higher than the Wayne County Insurance Group. EPIC, which was formerly RMD/Patti Insurance, executed the current policy.

The commissioners last year switched the policy from HCC to Travelers with a $462,733 premium cost that was $28,588 less than HCC's quote.

Commissioner Jeff Plasterer, who made the motion to accept the Wayne County Insurance Group's bid, noted that the bid was lower and included fully insured workman's compensation.

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Salt barn

Mike Sharp, the county's highway supervisor, discussed with commissioners Wednesday building a new salt barn on county land near the transfer station in Hagerstown. It would serve about five of the county's 17 snow-removal routes, saving drivers time, distance and, importantly this year, fuel when refilling.

He proposes a three-sided barn that's 54 feet by 80 feet and would be constructed by the highway department. Sharp estimated the barn would cost about $100,000.

"We have the ability to do all the work," Sharp said.

A second option might be repairing a deteriorated dome on Frontage Road in Cambridge City at the Indiana 1 and Interstate 70 intersection.

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Commissioners decided to present Wayne County Council with the Hagerstown option and discuss funding for the project.

Courthouse restrooms

Commissioners also discussed bids previously received for renovation of restrooms inside the Wayne County Courthouse.

Ferguson Construction Company bid $487,000 and Smarrelli General Contractor bid $613,036. Both bids are significantly higher than the $350,000 estimate from the project architect, American Structurepoint.

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Commissioners decided to investigate ways to lower the cost, then present the bids to council and see if it would fund Ferguson's bid. The project would update the restrooms and make them Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

2023 budget

The commissioners spent some time Wednesday discussing their 2023 budget recommendations to council.

Council is scheduled July 20 to hear from county departments and commissioners about their 2023 budgets.

Commissioners receive requests from organizations such as Whitewater Community Television, Animal Welfare League and the Wayne County Historical Museum for funding and relay recommendations to council.

In a 2-1 vote, they decided to recommend $30,000 for WCTV, which received $25,000 in this year's budget. They also agreed to recommend $42,000 for Animal Welfare League and $18,000 for the museum, which are both the same as this year's funding.

A line item for $53,000 must also be added to the budget for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program coordinator position that council previously agreed to fund. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs will provide $20,000 for the position.

Wayne County's HELP cohort, which assists with prioritizing projects and most effectively spending American Rescue Plan Act dollars, begins in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Wayne County begins July 1 with new insurance carrier