Pershing County’s long-standing partnership with the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool (POOL/PACT) continues to deliver outsized value, according to a presentation at last week’s county commission meeting.
POOL/PACT representatives introduced a new public entity grant support program aimed at making it easier for rural agencies to access risk management funds, training, and human resources support. The initiative includes a streamlined application process and personalized assistance from POOL/PACT staff.
“This is designed to be easy and impactful,” the representative told commissioners. “If your team is too busy to finish an application, I’ll fill it out for you.”
Pershing County’s total cost for participation in POOL/PACT for FY2025 is $395,890.49, a 9.82% increase over the previous year. However, the increase reflects a significant rise in payroll (+22.67%) and property values (+2.68%), rather than surging insurance premiums.
In fact, property rates remained flat, with liability rates seeing only moderate increases—trends the representative attributed to POOL/PACT’s long-term stability and rural focus.
POOL/PACT operates as a nonprofit cooperative formed in 1987 to help public entities pool resources instead of relying on traditional for-profit insurers. Any surplus is reinvested in local training, grants, and support services, rather than paid out to shareholders.
The value of POOL/PACT’s services to Pershing County in 2023 was substantial. Some highlights:
- Aquatic Facility Assessments: $3,000 entity benefit
- Passive Network Security Assessment: $18,000 entity benefit
- HR Services: $15,800 entity benefit
- On-Demand Learning Access: $28,665 entity benefit
- Fit for Retirement Program: $19,164 entity benefit
- Cybersecurity Training (KnowBe4): $1,092 entity benefit
- Education and Risk Project Grants: $4,030 (Education), $5,371 (Projects)
“These aren’t just theoretical numbers,” the representative emphasized. “They reflect real services your team uses, training, assessments, retirement readiness, and cybersecurity. Those would cost far more on the open market.”
POOL/PACT also provides support for safety planning, committee development, and enterprise risk management evaluations that can be customized to each department.
“These aren’t just one-size-fits-all assessments,” she said. “They’re tailored to your roads department, your jail, your admin staff—every part of the enterprise.”
A department-level risk audit, for example, can provide hundreds of hours of consulting time to ensure that policies are not only written but understood and practiced by staff. This approach, the representative said, supports a “culture of care” that protects both employees and the county’s liability exposure.
The modest 2.5% average increase in POOL/PACT program costs statewide reflects increased exposures among members, more staff, more vehicles, more facilities to insure. For Pershing County in particular:
- Payroll increased by 22.67%
- Total insured property value increased by 2.68%
- Auto count rose from by six new vehicles
- Law enforcement personnel decreased by 15%, from 20 to 17
- Employee count rose slightly, from 122 to 123
POOL/PACT uses these exposure figures, along with loss history and marketplace conditions, to calculate member contributions.
POOL/PACT’s leadership highlighted their commitment to staying rooted in Nevada and focused on rural community needs. “Not every state has this kind of model,” she said. “We’re proud that we do.”
County officials expressed appreciation for the value POOL/PACT continues to bring, both financially and in practical day-to-day support.
-
Comment
Comments