County Government 101: Introduction to the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust January 29, 2015 Robyn Sykes, MCIT Executive Director rsykes@mcit.org 651.209.6408 1
Introduction to the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust The information contained in this document is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or coverage advice on any specific matter. 2
Why is the MCIT On Your Orientation Agenda? We are a line item in the county s budget We cover your: employees work related injuries vehicles for property damage and liability claims actions that result in you getting sued We are your partner: claims risk management 3
What Is MCIT? NOT an Insurance Company Public Entity Joint Risk Sharing Pool Brain Child of County Commissioners Born of Necessity Hard Insurance Market Workers Compensation in 1979 Property/Casualty in 1984 Sponsored by the Association of Minnesota Counties Free Standing Public Entity in 1984 Headquarters Constructed in 2001 Joint Powers Entity-Made Up of Counties and Their Sponsored Entities Minnesota Statute 471.59 Minnesota Statute 471.981 Reflection of Counties Open Meeting Data Practices Report to the State Auditor 4
Who Belongs to MCIT? 81 of Minnesota s 87 Counties Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, St. Louis and Olmsted Counties Are Not Members 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Associated Joint Powers 288 Other Public Entities 5
MCIT as a Joint Powers Entity 6
How Does MCIT Work? Counties Come Together to Pool Their Assets and Liabilities to: Administer the Program Cover Losses Provide Risk Management Advice Provide Loss Control Services Purchase Reinsurance for Catastrophic Losses 7
How Does MCIT Work? Governing Documents Provide the Operational Roadmap Joint Powers Agreement Bylaws Coverage Document (Property/Casualty) Minnesota Statutes (Workers Compensation) Annual Work Plan Budget Policies and Procedures Decision Makers The Board of Directors Elected and Appointed County Officials 6 County Commissioners 2 County Auditors or Auditor-Treasurers 1 County Coordinator/Administrator Eight members are elected at large at the annual meeting 4 yr. term One board member is recommended by MACA 2 yr. term Experience in Finance, Insurance and Local Government Experience the Outcome of Their Decisions 8
MCIT Board of Directors Scott Sanders Watonwan County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing Sherburne County Commissioner Graylen Carlson Lac qui Parle County Commissioner Kevin Corbid Washington County Auditor/Treasurer Don Diedrich Polk County Commissioner Richard Downham Cass County Commissioner Charles Enter Brown County Administrator Dan Kuhns Waseca County Commissioner Randy Schreifels Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer 9
How Does MCIT Work? MCIT Staff Program and Contract Administration Accounting & Finance Claims Administration (Workers Compensation) Risk Management and Loss Control Membership Services and Communications Systems Support Facility Management 10
How Does MCIT Work? Service Providers Traditional Insurance Functions (Meadowbrook Insurance Group/MIG) Schedules Underwriting Place Monoline Coverage Claims Administration (Property/Casualty) Defense Counsel Actuarial Work (Actuarial Advisors) Independent Audit (EideBailly) Employee Assistance Program (Sand Creek) Minnesota Safety Council Variety of Attorneys and Consultants 11
How Does MCIT Work? Members MCIT Board of Directors MCIT Staff Service Providers 12
What Does MCIT Cover? Cover Over 26,000 employees $4.4 Billion in Property Values Over 8,200 Autos/Trucks/Trailers Property Buildings, Contents, Property in the Open Inland Marine Contractor s Equipment Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Misc. Property Equipment Breakdown (Boiler and Machinery) Employee Dishonesty Liability Coverage Bodily Injury and Property Damage Personal Injury/Advertising Injury Public Employees Liability (E&O) Auto Liability Physical Damage Workers Compensation 13
Does Coverage Apply to a County Commissioner? MCIT Coverage Document- Coverage Part D Public Employee Liability Coverage Covered Party Only Acts within the scope of their employment by or duties on behalf of the Member [county], in their official capacity Any elected or appointed official of the member Subject to the terms and conditions of the Coverage Document MS 466.02 provides that every municipality is subject to liability for its torts and the torts of its officers, employees and agents acting within the scope of their employment or duties Workers Compensation Elected officials are covered subject to a county board resolution (MS. 176.09)
What Services Does MCIT Provide? Information/Education Publications Videos Webinars Training Property Appraisals Risk Management/Loss Control Advice Contract Review from a Risk Management Perspective Safety Committee Assistance 15
What Services Does MCIT Provide? Membership in the Minnesota Safety Council Property Inspections Employee Assistance Program Risk Management/Loss Control Advice Contract Review from a Risk Management Perspective Safety Committee Assistance Membership in the Minnesota Safety Council Electronic Communications - Web Page 16
What is MCIT S Secret For Success and Longevity? Long Term Commitment of Members Relationships Face-to-Face Contact Annual Board Reports Personal Delivery of Services Risk Management Training Loss Control Visits» Safety Committee Meetings» Department Head Meetings» Inspections» Training Sessions 17
What is MCIT S Secret For Success and Longevity? Homogeneous Membership Economy of Scale Reduced Expenses No Commissions or Sales Fees Tax Exempt Eligibility Requirements Membership is a Privilege Minnesota Statute 466 Provides Certain Immunities and Defenses Limits Liabilities for State Tort Claims 18
What Are the Advantages of Membership? Fully Funded Stable Rates (Prospective) Dividends (Retrospective) Coverage Enhancements (ongoing) Service Enhancements (as needed) Avoids the Cyclical Nature of Insurance Easy to Budget For - Renewal Notices by August 21st of Each Year Tailored to County Government 19
Equity is Returned in Dividends Contribution - Dividend = Net Cost 2010 $44.0 M $20.0 M $19.2 M 2011 $41.8 M $30.0 M $11.8 M 2012 $36.0 M $29.9 M $ 6.1 M 2013 $34.0 M $19.0 M $15.0 M 2014 $36.6 M $13.0 M $23.6 M Investment earnings are the fuel for dividends 20
Historical Information Aids to Stabilize Rates Rates are Determined on Performance of: Each Member The Entire Pool Reinsurance Financial Safety Net Against Catastrophic Loss Property and Casualty MCIT Pays First $500K Property - Cost $1.7M in 2015 Liability - Cost $1.1M in 2015 Workers Compensation- MCIT Pays First $490,000 Cost $1.38M in 2015 21
Equity Is Used to Enhance Services New/More Programs Tailored to County Issues On-site training sessions Safety Committee Meetings/Training Enhanced Website New Videos Value Added- Efficient and Effective 22
How Can You Add to MCIT S Success? You are the NEW leaders. Others Take Their Cue From You. Take advantage of meetings with MCIT representatives Board Reports Training Ask questions Call us (651.209.6400 or 1.866.547.6516) Read MCIT s insightful publications on issues that expose members to risk: Bulletin Resource Briefings Alerts Take advantage of MCIT s Website for timely and accurate advice on topics that expose you to risk 23
How Can You Add to MCIT S Success? Attend/Support MCIT Sponsored/Endorsed Programs Resilience Training PATROL Regional Training Sessions On-Site Training Sessions Webinars Integrate Risk Management into County Operations Support Your Staff s Involvement in Risk Management Learn more about us at www.mcit.org BE INVOLVED 24
MCIT Mission We started with a simple mission Provide members with cost effective coverage and superior service. That has been changed to reflect the growth of the program... Provide Minnesota counties and associated members cost effective coverage with comprehensive and quality risk management services MCIT has grown to be One of the most financially sound, member responsive public entity pools in the nation 25
Congratulations on Your Election to County Commissioner Welcome to County Government Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust It promises to be Exciting Challenging Fun 26