Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: September 8, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: Lisa Snead, Assistant County Administrator
FROM: John Petrelli, Director
CONTACT: Susan Martin, Assistant Manager
PHONE: 407-836-9639
DIVISION: (Risk Management)
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approval of conversion of public officials’ bonds to the County’s commercial crime insurance policy. (Risk Management Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE: Since its inception in the early 1980’s the Risk Management Division has purchased public officials’ bonds for each member of the Board of County Commissioners and its Constitutional officers. The bonds are in face value amounts of $2,000-$5,000 depending on the office held. The County also purchases a commercial crime insurance policy which includes $1,000,000 in public employee dishonesty coverage. These bonds were required by Florida Statute Chapter 137. In 1998, the Florida Legislature changed the law to grant discretion to county boards of commissioners to determine when bonds would be required for various county officers. The officers include all members of the county board plus its property appraiser and tax collector. Per Florida Statute Chapter 137 as amended, grants the Board of County Commissioners the authority to determine if bonds should be required and if so, in what amounts. Risk Management consulted with the County Attorney’s Office, and they concur that the Board of County Commissioners has the authority to transition this coverage to the commercial crime policy. The $1,000,000 in faithful performance of duty coverage under its commercial crime policy is sufficient to cover all board members and constitutional officers.
BUDGET: N/A