News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County may increase the life insurance it provides to full-time law enforcement and emergency personnel.
County Mayor Randy Porter said his proposal comes after the recent deaths of police officers and paramedics in Tennessee.
“It’s devastating for those families to lose someone like,” Porter said. “I think it’s a small amount for us (county) to pay to step up and take care of our employees’ families if something happens in the line of duty.”
Porter said it will cost $19,090 to increase the current policy from $15,000 to $250,000.
“I hope we never have anybody,” Porter said. “but in case we do, for $19,000 a year out of our self-insurance, to have that policy would be good.”
9th District County Commissioner and Tennessee Highway Patrol Lieutenant Jimmy Neal said he supports the proposal
“This is really important because unless you’ve stood out in traffic, like a lot of us have, you don’t realize the danger,” Neal said. “I think this is an excellent thing that we are doing for the employees.”
Porter has agreed to look at costs associated with adding road department employees and possibly others to the policy.
Putnam County Clerk Wayne Nabors said his employees face potential dangers every day.
“I don’t ever know who is going to be crazy in my office from day one to the next. I’ve had some people that’s come in and acted up and I’ve had to call the Cookeville Police Department,” Nabors said. “I’ve got four single moms working in my office and they all have kids.”
The Putnam County Fiscal Review Committee approved the additional life insurance policy on Monday. The full county commission will consider the measure during the March 18th meeting.
