DATE: May 12, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Merge the Vehicle Damage and Vehicle Total Loss Programs
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve the merger of Fresno County's Vehicle Damage and Vehicle Total Loss Programs into a single Auto Loss Program.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This item would authorize the combining of the Vehicle Damage and Vehicle Total Loss programs into a single vehicle loss program, County Auto Loss Program, effective for the FY 2026-27 rates, approve the transfer of any program surplus, and authorize the transfer of the Vehicle Total Loss Program reserve balance. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board can elect not to merge the two programs into one program, which would keep things "as is" but would require the County Risk Management (Risk) to calculate rates to be charged to Departments to fund the Vehicle Damage Program reserve. A benefit of this merger now is that in FY 2026-27 departments will not be charged vehicle damage rates because the Vehicle Total Loss program has a surplus.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. As of June 30, 2025, the Vehicle Total Loss Program was funded at $444,213.04 and the Vehicle Damage Program was funded at $156,397.87. Merging the two programs would fund the County Auto Loss Program at $600,610.91, less any losses in FY 2025-26. If the two programs are combined, reserves would be sufficient to cover program losses through June 30, 2027, with no vehicle program charges to County Departments for FY 2026-27.
DISCUSSION:
Historically, the County has managed two separate self-insurance programs: one for total vehicle loss replacement (established in 1985) and another for auto physical damage (established in 1997). These programs have been funded through the Risk Management Internal ...
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