Commission amends personnel handbook to remove non‑owned auto insurance declaration requirement

Summary

The commission adopted a resolution amending Section 6.8 of the personnel policy handbook to remove a requirement that employees provide proof they had declared work use of personal vehicles to their insurers. The change follows recommendation from the city’s property/casualty broker and city attorney review.

The Ottawa City Commission on Oct. 1 adopted a resolution amending the personnel policy handbook to remove a requirement that employees show proof they had declared business use of personal vehicles to their insurers.

Director Stegman Jacobson explained the change to Section 6.8 is intended to clarify the policy’s scope. The policy originally required employees to produce insurer proof they had declared business use of a personal vehicle. After consultation with HUB International, the city’s property/casualty broker, staff determined that requirement derived from an auto carrier’s internal practice and that the city did not intend to require employees to carry commercial auto insurance. Jacobson said the city attorney, Blaine Finch, reviewed the amendment and recommended adoption.

A motion to adopt the resolution passed on a roll‑call vote with all present commissioners voting yes. The amendment makes the policy consistent with how the city uses the coverage and removes an administrative expectation that no employees currently meet (commercial auto insurance for personal vehicles).