Risk Notes

Risk Management Services Welcomes the Town of Olar

The SC Municipal Insurance Trust has welcomed the Town of Olar as a new member, effective as of January 1, 2022.

For more information about SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund and SCMIT membership, contact Robert Collins, underwriting manager, at rcollins@masc.sc or 803.933.1279.

Spotlight on Risk Management Services’ Finance Section

The finance section of the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services oversees the financial transactions for SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund.

The finance staff consists of Jennifer Gray, financial manager; and Lisa Dunkley, accountant. Together they have more than 40 years of accounting experience.

The tasks completed by finance staff include posting deposits and recoveries, verifying vendors for payment, preparing deductible and premium billings, reconciling bank accounts, processing grant requests, approving banking transactions, checks and vouchers, preparing financial statements and budgets, providing data for actuarial reports and providing financial support for the claims and underwriting departments.

In addition to these common financial tasks, the staff also report unclaimed property to the State Treasurer’s Office each year. They identify checks that have not been cashed and attempt to locate the owner. If no response is received from the owner, they send the funds to the state treasurer.

The finance staff invoice approximately 1,500 bills each year. SCMIT sends out more than 15,000 checks each year, and SCMIRF writes nearly 3,000 checks each year. SCMIT and SCMIRF also write over 500 checks for non-claim expenses and grants.

Finance staff are also responsible for determining the return of surplus that members receive each year, based on their loss experience and years of participation. The amount of the surplus is dependent on the financial performance of SCMIT and SCMIRF, and driven by the losses experienced by members of the programs.

Gray and Dunkley said that they find it rewarding to analyze financial data in order to help make the best financial decisions on behalf of the members.

Members of SCMIT and SCMIRF have the option of having their premium and deductible payments drafted from their bank account. They can sign up for bank drafts by completing an online form. Members can contact Jennifer Gray at jgray@masc.sc with any questions.

The finance staff of the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services consists of Jennifer Gray, financial manager; and Lisa Dunkley, accountant. (High-res image)

2021 Risk Management Institute Graduates

The Risk Management Institute, a program of the SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund, graduated 14 municipal officials during the Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting on November 9 in Columbia.

The new Risk Management Institute graduates during the Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting on November 9 in Columbia. (High-res image)

The new Risk Management Institute graduates are Jason Hendrix, assistant town manager, Town of Batesburg-Leesville; Richard Hathaway, battalion chief, City of Isle of Palms; Shannon Tanner, fire chief, City of Florence; Kevin Cornett, police chief, City of Isle of Palms; Joab Dowling, staff sergeant, Town of Port Royal; Joe R. House, risk manager, City of Aiken; Sandra M. McKinney, clerk/treasurer, Town of McCormick; Ashley Balazovich, administrative coordinator, City of Cayce; Fran S. Anderson, assistant city manager, City of Abbeville; John Griffith, captain, Town of Port Royal; Jennifer B. Hayes, public safety sergeant, City of Aiken; Mark D. Aakhus, assistant town administrator, Town of Edisto Beach; Neil Parsons, director of administrative services, City of Hardeeville; and Lynn S. Smith, human resources director, City of Conway. There is no fee for members to participate in the institute. Interested members can register online.

2021 Risk Management Services Awards

Each year, the SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund board of trustees recognize members who have reduced their total costs and kept employees safe while delivering better public services. Award winners are determined based on the municipality's loss experience for the current year and the previous three years. There are three population divisions, with one winner in each division. Six cities received recognition at the 2021 Risk Management Services Annual Members Meeting. The award winners received a plaque and a $2,500 monetary award.

Karen Henderson-Cook, Town of Lake View, Jamie Hook and Michelle Dickerson, City of West Columbia. (High-res image)

SCMIRF Board member, Allison Harvey and Jana Boice and Matt DeWitt, City of Newberry. (High-res image)

SCMIRF Board member, Allison Harvey and Mayor John Collins, Town of Hemingway. (High-res image)

SCMIRF Board member, Allison Harvey and Gloria Rogers, City of Union (High-res image)

SCMIRF Board member, Allison Harvey and Robert Stetson, City of Mullins. (High-res image)

SCMIT

Town of Lake View – Division I
City of Union – Division II
City of West Columbia – Division III

SCMIRF

Town of Hemingway – Division I
City of Mullins – Division II
City of Newberry – Division III

2022 Risk Management Services Grants

The Risk Management Services programs have a longstanding history of offering grants to fund essential risk reduction initiatives.

The grant programs operate on a first-come, first-served reimbursement basis. After completing the required application process, members can request reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the cost for allowable equipment purchases. Request are limited to $2,000 per member, per grant, per year for the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Grant and Fire Service Grant. The Public Works Safety Grant, Law Enforcement Liability Reduction Grant and Public Works Property and Liability Reduction Grant requests are limited to $4,000 per member.

The grant process will open February 16, 2022.

For more information contact Lisa Dunkley at rmsgrants@masc.sc or 803.933.1237.

Risk Management Services Board Changes

The SC Municipal Insurance Trust has bid farewell to two of its board members: Brian Carter, city administrator, City of West Columbia; and Scott Tanner, city administrator, City of Manning. Carter served as a member of the SCMIT board for eight years and Tanner served as a member for six years.

The SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund has also said goodbye to two of its board members: David McCuen, IV, city manager, City of Anderson; and Mike Sell, deputy city administrator, City of Greer. McCuen and Sell both served as members of the SCMIRF board for six years.

"SCMIT and SCMIRF extend their gratitude to Brian, Scott, David and Mike for their years of service," said Director of Risk Management Services Heather Ricard. "Their insight and leadership will be missed."

The SCMIT board has welcomed Davy Broom, town manager, Town of Fort Mill; and Matt Dewitt, city manager, City of Newberry as new members.

The SCMIRF board has also welcomed Lee Bailey, city manager, City of Woodruff; and Andrew Strickland, assistant city manager, City of Anderson as new members.