Howard County to Re-pay Insurance Company Due to Pending Litigation

Howard County has been notified that it must pay its previous insurance company more than $23,000 related to pending litigation. Arkansas Public Entity Risk Management Association announced it would cease operations in January. The $23,000 dates back to 2015 and has risen each year in that time, including nearly $10,300 dollars in claims by the county last year. Most of last year’s claims are related to property damage from July flooding. The company was responsible for insurance to the county’s buildings, contents and vehicles.
County Judge Kevin Smith said the request to pay for pending claims is a standard practice among insurance providers. Quorum Court members voted to pay half of the $23,000 dollars now and will pay the remaining portion out of next year’s budget.
On a positive insurance note, Judge Smith said Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield has informed the county it will receive a one time discount on health and dental insurance. The health discount will be ten percent, while the county’s dental insurance will get a one time fifty percent discount.