Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the State Insurance Commissioner, with copies to El Dorado County legislative representatives, conveying the County’s concerns over the availability and affordability, including the outright cancellation, of fire insurance; and
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Office to engage in further discussions with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office and El Dorado County legislative representatives relative to this matter.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 25, 2019, El Dorado County constituents addressed the Board of Supervisors during ‘Open Forum’ expressing their concerns relative to significant cost increases for fire insurance as well as the cancellation of insurance policies. Over the past several months, El Dorado County staff has been participating in discussions with other counties, including Placer, Tuolumne, Amador, and Calaveras counties, as well as with the California State Association of Counties and Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) regarding this matter.
Members of the public with concerns regarding fire insurance should also be encouraged to contact the Insurance Commissioner’s office directly at 1-800-927-4357 or on their website at <http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/index.cfm> with their concerns.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to send a letter to the Insurance Commissioner or could ask staff to make revisions to the proposed letter.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature and transmit the letter to all those identified, also providing a copy of the signed letter to the Chief Administrative Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance/Public Safety
CONTACT
Don Ashton, MPA
Chief Administrative Officer