Safety pays off in minimal insurance claims

PRINCETON — Safety pays dividends, and no one knows it better than the Princeton Park District.

Park board members learned at Monday's meeting that only a few injury claims have been filed in recent years, according to figures from the Illinois Public Risk Fund.

In an overview of claims and total incurred costs over the past three policy years, the IPRF reported no claims for the park district in 2019, one claim ($6,412 incurred for wind damage to a dugout at West Side Ball Park) in 2018, and one claim ($84 incurred for an eye injury to a park employee) in 2017.

And so far in 2020, no claims have been reported.

"We hope to keep that record going," Executive Director Elaine Russell told the board.

"Kudos to all the staff inside and out for their extreme safety practices," she said.

Russell also reported good news regarding the park district's health insurance coverage for its employees.

"Our rates did not go up one penny, one penny," she said.

She said last year's actual health care costs amounted to $70,701. For comparison purposes, she said, the costs 10 years ago were $46,727.

In another item of new business, Russell reviewed payment obligations for the upcoming year. They include $9,683.75 for the Zearing bond interest; $8,140 for the Bailey Subdivision abatement; $808,104 for the park district's general obligation bond and interest; $159,863.75 for the Zearing principal, interest and fee; and $409,300 for the Metro Center roof project.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a mileage reimbursement rate of 57.5 cents per mile, the IRS rate, which is down half a cent from the 2019 rate. Russell noted that "very little mileage is turned in throughout a year."

• Watched Chairman Andy Marti sign the contract with Sterling Commercial Roofing Inc. for the Metro Center roof replacement project.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $39,742.89.

• Learned from Russell that she is looking into a new photocopier contract.

• Learned in Russell's report that she is investigating possible grants for the repaving of the Metro Center parking lot. She stated the project would be put into the 2020-21 budget to start putting aside money at $5,000 a month, or $60,000 a year, to pay for it.