AGENDA DATE: 9/7/2022
TITLE:
Title
Delegation of Authority to Sign Certain Insurance Documents
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request the Board of Supervisors to delegate the authority to sign a third-party insurance carrier release of liability form and associated documents for damage sustained to a County vehicle to the Chief Financial Officer or their designee.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Walker, Farley, Birch, Sumner, Lee
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: When a County vehicle is involved in an accident or is damaged by another party, the party's insurance carrier often requests the County to sign a release of liability as a condition of final payment for repairs/loss. This is standard practice in processing insurance claims. Currently, the authority to approve the release of liability resides with the Board and can take several weeks to obtain the authorizing signature.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: The County's Department of Finance & Budget administers the insurance claims process on behalf of the County. When the liability release form is presented to the County, the Department of Finance & Budget, in consultation with the County Attorney's office, reviews the claim and collaborates to make a recommendation of signing the release form. If the Chief Financial Officer or their designee were authorized to sign the liability release form, the insurance funds recovery process would be expedited and would allow the County to quickly fund the repair cost or replacement cost of damaged vehicles. The release of liability is only intended to be executed for physical damage to County vehicles. Bodily injury claims are exempt from this recommendation. The resolut...
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