ASHCROFT NOMINATES STOVERINK FOR STATE MOPERM BOARD

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Cape Girardeau Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink is awaiting Senate approval of his nomination to the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund (MOPERM) board of trustees.

Governor John Ashcroft appointed Stoverink to a four-year term on the board last year after the Senate's legislative session. The Senate is expected to confirm his nomination later this month.

MOPERM was created by the Missouri General Assembly in 1986 as a self-insurance pool for local governmental agencies in the state.

Stoverink will join Attorney General William Webster, Commissioner of Administration James Moody and three other at-large trustees appointed by the governor.

The remaining trustees are Bob Bartelsmeyer, Lawrence County Clerk; Anita Groepper, Moniteau County Clerk; and Brian Paulsen, Trenton City Administrator.

Cape Girardeau has been a member of MOPERM since its creation, Stoverink said.

"MOPERM was created just a few years ago when local governments around the state were having difficulty obtaining insurance at reasonable rates," he said.

"It was something pushed by the Missouri Municipal League, and the legislature authorized it."

Stoverink said he felt privileged to be appointed to the board of trustees, which oversees administration of the fund on behalf of member governmental units.

There now are nearly 300 members of the self-insurance pool, including 92 cities, 24 counties and four school districts.

"I felt very honored to be asked," Stoverink said. "I think it will be a real educational experience for me and really beneficial to Cape Girardeau from the standpoint of having access to information.

"We should be on top of what's happening in the insurance industry in liability areas and case law that's occurring, as well as it's good from the standpoint of the city of Cape having representation in a statewide organization such as this."

Stoverink said he received a letter in July from Governor Ashcroft's office notifying him of the nomination.

"I was initially contacted as to my availability by the MOPERM staff in conjunction with the governor's office," he said. "They also contacted (Senator John Dennis, D-Benton) as to his support of my nomination."

The board of trustees meets in Jefferson City four times annually, Stoverink said. He said the position also involves "some phone calls," but that it isn't a substantial time commitment.

"That's certainly one of the considerations in my accepting the appointment," he said. "But I'm really pleased with the opportunity."

MOPERM was created following an "insurance crisis" in 1985 and 1986, when public entities throughout Missouri experienced large liability premium increases.

Some were unable to obtain any liability insurance or were offered extremely limited coverage. MOPERM has allowed the governmental entities to pool resources for self-insurance purposes.

Any city, county, township, village, municipal corporation, school district, special purpose or taxing district, or other local public body created by the General Assembly is eligible for membership in MOPERM.

The board of trustee's stated mission is "to establish and operate a shared risk program offering damage liability and other coverages deemed appropriate for participating political subdivisions of the state, their officers and employees."

Stoverink said the city of Cape Girardeau became a MOPERM member shortly after it began operating in 1987. He said the organization has proven beneficial to the members.

"This was a way of bringing some stability to local units of government to protect themselves and do it in an affordable manner," Stoverink said. "Self-insurance certainly is a desirable approach when its feasible."

Stoverink said MOPERM members were given a 15-percent refund on premiums in 1990 because of the good financial condition of the fund.

"When MOPERM was created, it was decided that financially, if it went as hoped, when there would be such refunds in good years," he said. "It's worked out well. From a financial basis, we feel its been real positive.

"Hopefully I'll be able to contribute to the continuation of this pool which has been very beneficial to political subdivisions around the state," Stoverink added.