Starke County officials will now carry insurance on the rail lead track and spur owned by the county.
The commissioners agreed that it’s important to make sure the county is covered in case a major incident happens.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert told the commissioners last week that the cost of the insurance will be passed onto the user and will be determined in end-of-year expenses paid for by the companies who utilize the spur.
Wickert noted that they recently decreased the amount charged per car that utilizes the lead track to $10, and now the insurance cost will be passed along to the user which is about $15 per car. In addition, the end-of-year expenses will add another $14 per car. Those expenses may include an electric bill, maintenance, and the service agreements for representatives to inspect the track and crossing signals.
The commissioners unanimously approved commercial general liability insurance for the railroad in the amount of $14,523.
