April 25, 2023 at 5:01 p.m.
Insurance costs go up
Inflation results in 9% premium increase for Dunkirk
Insurance costs go up
DUNKIRK — Inflation has sent prices up across the board.
Insurance has not been exempt from that trend.
Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved continuing the city’s property insurance coverage through Barnum and Brown Insurance at a 9% increase in cost.
Aaron Walter of Barnum and Brown, Dunkirk, reported to city council that inflationary impacts have pushed the town’s property coverage up to $24.6 million from the previous $20.7 million. As a result, premiums have also gone up.
The city’s annual property insurance premiums are going up to $94,017, an increase of about 9%.
Council president Jesse Bivens asked how Dunkirk’s numbers compare to those of other municipalities.
Walter responded that he’s seeing similar increases across the board. (He added that Dunkirk’s claims have been high, paying out at 92% of premiums.)
He gave a similar report to Redkey Town Council in December as its property insurance cost went up by 9.8%. At that time, he noted that the replacement cost for infrastructure such as water towers, water plans and sewage plants has increased dramatically.
Council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Kevin Hamilton, Christy Curts and Bivens unanimously approved continuing the city’s policy with Barnum and Brown.
Mayor Jack Robbins also reported to council that he has met with representatives from Miller Pipeline and Center Point Energy regarding issues with the gas line replacements in the city. Their work has been the subject of regular complaints from residents regarding streets, sidewalks and yards being torn up.
He said the companies have brought in an additional crew to help with street patching, grass seeding and other work. More help was planned to come this week.
Robbins noted additional issues with a curb that was torn out on Commerce Street that needs to be replaced and problems with sidewalks.
He has another meeting scheduled for Wednesday regarding the problems that need to be fixed.
“They’re getting caught up,” said Robbins. “It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s going to get better.”
He said he would report back again as progress continues.
Robbins also told council that water department superintendent Dace Mumbower has requested that the city start a fund for replacing water meters.
The mayor explained that the fund would be started by adding a charge to users’ monthly water bills. The money generated would go into a separate fund that would be used strictly for replacing meters.
Robbins asked council to think about the proposal as the city reviews details of how to put it into place. He set a goal starting the new fund on Jan. 1.
In other business, council:
•Heard from Mumbower that the city will be flushing hydrants beginning May 1. He cautioned that residents may experience low pressure or discolored water during the week. (He added that plans call for filling Dunkirk City Pool on May 6 in preparation for the coming season. The pool is scheduled to open May 30.)
•Paid claims totaling $248,213.89.
Insurance has not been exempt from that trend.
Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved continuing the city’s property insurance coverage through Barnum and Brown Insurance at a 9% increase in cost.
Aaron Walter of Barnum and Brown, Dunkirk, reported to city council that inflationary impacts have pushed the town’s property coverage up to $24.6 million from the previous $20.7 million. As a result, premiums have also gone up.
The city’s annual property insurance premiums are going up to $94,017, an increase of about 9%.
Council president Jesse Bivens asked how Dunkirk’s numbers compare to those of other municipalities.
Walter responded that he’s seeing similar increases across the board. (He added that Dunkirk’s claims have been high, paying out at 92% of premiums.)
He gave a similar report to Redkey Town Council in December as its property insurance cost went up by 9.8%. At that time, he noted that the replacement cost for infrastructure such as water towers, water plans and sewage plants has increased dramatically.
Council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Kevin Hamilton, Christy Curts and Bivens unanimously approved continuing the city’s policy with Barnum and Brown.
Mayor Jack Robbins also reported to council that he has met with representatives from Miller Pipeline and Center Point Energy regarding issues with the gas line replacements in the city. Their work has been the subject of regular complaints from residents regarding streets, sidewalks and yards being torn up.
He said the companies have brought in an additional crew to help with street patching, grass seeding and other work. More help was planned to come this week.
Robbins noted additional issues with a curb that was torn out on Commerce Street that needs to be replaced and problems with sidewalks.
He has another meeting scheduled for Wednesday regarding the problems that need to be fixed.
“They’re getting caught up,” said Robbins. “It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s going to get better.”
He said he would report back again as progress continues.
Robbins also told council that water department superintendent Dace Mumbower has requested that the city start a fund for replacing water meters.
The mayor explained that the fund would be started by adding a charge to users’ monthly water bills. The money generated would go into a separate fund that would be used strictly for replacing meters.
Robbins asked council to think about the proposal as the city reviews details of how to put it into place. He set a goal starting the new fund on Jan. 1.
In other business, council:
•Heard from Mumbower that the city will be flushing hydrants beginning May 1. He cautioned that residents may experience low pressure or discolored water during the week. (He added that plans call for filling Dunkirk City Pool on May 6 in preparation for the coming season. The pool is scheduled to open May 30.)
•Paid claims totaling $248,213.89.
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