News and Information 

Partnership Rates Announcement

Rate changes have been approved by the Pool's Board of Trustees for the upcoming 2021-2022 fiscal year. Click here to find out more about rate changes for the different coverages the Pool provides. Underwriting is continuing to process rerates for the 2021/22 fund year. Any questions regarding the rerate should be directed to your Member Services Manager.

If you were not able to attend a Partnership Summit Regional meeting, much of the information covered is available in this 40 minute video.

NEW EPISODE: Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

Why should a local elected official care about employment law?  According to a recent study, U.S. employers with fewer than 500 employees have an 11.7 percent chance of facing an employment lawsuit.  And, if you do get sued, about 1 in 5 lawsuits results in a defense and settlement payment with an average cost of $125,000. Listen to the seventh episode in the TML Risk Pool's STP Series: Disciplining and Terminating Employees: Liability and the Pool’s ‘Call Before You Fire’ Hotline.

Meet our newest Board Members

At the recent July board meeting, the Board appointed two new board members.  Please welcome Noel Bernal, City Manager of Brownsville (Place 1) and Harlan Jefferson, City Manager of Prosper (Place 8).

Upcoming Loss Prevention Training 

Click here for more information on Loss Prevention Training that has been scheduled through the end of 2021.

Texas Legislature: A Quick Pool-Related Update 

A legislative session that got its start during two major disasters – the Coronavirus Pandemic and Winter Storm Uri – ended with the passage of more than 300 bills that affect local governments. The Texas Municipal League prepared its “legislative session wrap-up” edition of the Legislative Update newsletter (the June 11, 2021 edition, Number 22), which contains summaries of all city-related bills – 90 pages worth. 

Pool staff has prepared the following abbreviated update for Pool Members as a complement to TML’s work. Click here to review the full update. 

Member Spotlight

City of Atlanta “TAKE 2”

During a recent visit to the City of Atlanta, the Public Works Superintendent shared information about the department’s new TAKE 2 initiative. The program was established to raise awareness of potential safety issues, action needed to protect employees, and identified trends and loss drivers within the department. 

• TAKE 2 encourages employees and supervisors to:
  • • TALK about the work that will be conducted
    • Take ACTION to prevent and or mitigate potential safety issues
    • Increase employee KNOWLEDGE through training, safety meetings, and toolbox talks
    • Understand the EQUIPMENT utilized for the job.

A minimum of two minutes is dedicated to talk about activities, hazards, safe work practices, and procedures for the work to be performed. The Member indicated the program has improved the department's overall culture through increased employee engagement, participation in the identification of hazards, and proactive control of exposures or risks. 

Service In Focus

Call Before you Fire Hotline

The Risk Pool provides services to assist its Members with employee terminations and disciplinary actions. The Call Before You Fire service is available to all Members of the Pool having Errors and Omissions Liability Coverage (Public Officials Liability). Members are encouraged to utilize this service to help avoid lawsuits for such things as discrimination, harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and workers’ compensation retaliation. Click here to learn more about the Hotline or listen to our latest podcast here.