
By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The end of the year is supposed to be a slowdown and peaceful navigation through the holiday season. Barton County officials were left scrambling to find insurance coverage. In late November, current insurance provider EMC told county officials it would no longer provide coverage in 2024. County Administrator Matt Patzner presented to the commission Thursday in the final meeting of the year.
"This resulted in a search for a provider," he said. "On Dec. 12, 2023, the commission interviewed personnel from Copeland Insurance and World Insurance Associates. It's suggested the commission select Copeland Insurance. Copeland will provide administrative control over at least six separate insurance companies."
Lucas Barta with Copeland also presented to the commission. Insurance coverage will be similar to coverage before. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson said the county made the most of its options. The commission approved the bid of $589,289.34.
"We had 30 days to find new insurance for the entire county," he said. "They told us that we were no longer going to be covered so, out on the hunt. We had a proposal from the original agent that was a million dollars a year in premiums. So, Lucas, good job. Matt, good job coming up with this plan. I don't feel like patting ourselves on the back too much because it's still considerably more than we were paying last year. However, it's considerably better than being without insurance, and it's considerably better than a million dollars."
County Counselor Patrick Hoffman further explained the EMC previously covered multiple government entities similar in size to Barton County. Due to an increase in claims throughout the Midwest, and increased costs associated with property repair and replacement, EMC was no longer offering coverage to those entities.