Tort Liability Fund
Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Martynowicz, provided a brief overview of the Tort Liability Fund.
This is a Special Revenue Fund that is separate from the General Fund. The Tort Liability Fund
is used to pay for insurance policies including: property, casualty, theft, employee practices, auto,
cyber security, unemployment, underground storage tanks, and workers' compensation. The
County uses Alliant Insurance Services as their broker, who surveys the insurance market and
procures third-party insurance companies on behalf of the County. The County is self-insured,
meaning that it pays individual claims up to the maximum dollar amount per each of the policies.
Once a claim reaches the out-of-pocket limit, the excess amounts are covered by the individual
insurance policies. Funding for the Tort Liability Fund comes from the annual property tax levy.
$3,000,000 is levied annually for the program. As of April 22, 2024, the Tort Liability Fund had
a fund balance of $6,627,806. Payments for any lawsuits or settlements are paid out of this fund.
The State's Attorney's Office is the sole legal authority for the County and has the ability to make
lawsuit and settlement payments. Any payments over $75,000 are discussed with County Board
members in executive session as a professional courtesy. The Tort Liability budget is available
online for public viewing. There is also an online tool that can be found on the Auditor's
webpage, called Checkbook Online. This tool provides interactive searching of County
payments, including lawsuits and settlements.
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OLD BUSINESS
No old business was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Member Schwarze and seconded by Member Yoo to adjourn at 8:58 AM.
Upon a voice vote, the motion passed.