Knoxville Aldermen came to a decision last night on the city’s liability insurance renewal.The council was presented with two options from Chad Morse of Porter-Hay Insurance at the November 5th meeting. Option one was a renewal quote from the Illinois Municipal League for just over $69,600 and one from the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust for just over $88,900. The policy from IML does not include coverage for auxiliary police officers if they were to discharge a weapon unless 40 hours of annual training is completed. “I went around in Ward One, and I’d say about 95% of (the people I talked to) said to go with the one for $88, 935 – the ICRMT,” Said Ward One Alderman Angela Hillier. “They felt, as taxpayers, they would rather see the $88,000 and have the coverage.”
“Chief and I have talked about it,” Ward Three Alderman Toby Myers added. “I think we have to go with the lower premium and explain to our Auxiliary exactly what we cover. We’re doing parades, we’re doing a little bit during Scenic Drive (and) four football games. I think the training for them….we would love to say that we do – but there’s no time.” The general consensus was that with the savings, the city could hire county auxiliary officers for parades and car cruises – which Chief Poyner added they typically already cover. The motion was made for the plan from IML which passed 6-0 with Naslund and McGovern absent.
The 2018-2019 Tax Levy ordinance was also covered. City Attorney Rob McCoy presented the council with two alternative ordinances for the council to consider. The first was for a flat levy of nearly $350,000 – the same amount levied in 2017. The second ordinance was to increase the liability insurance levy to partially defray the cost – depending on which insurance policy the council decided on. “Now even thought you did approve IML this evening, that still comes in a little higher than what we have appropriated for (in the) tax levy, Mayor Dennis Maurer said. “Over the last several years our liability insurance rates have been going up. Last year Municipal League came in at quite a bit less than we were used to -but we still had tax levied the full amount we needed last year to cover all our expenses.” Since the council chose the liability insurance plan through the Illinois Municipal League – the difference in premiums was just over $5,300. The motion was approved to increase the tax levy to cover the insurance cost through IML by a vote of 5-1. Angela Hillier was the lone “no” vote, Naslund and McGovern were absent.
