Carbon County is seeing a decrease in its insurance costs.

The commissioners Thursday voted to renew the 2014-2015 insurance policy with the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool at a total premium cost of $242,926. This is a $23,132 decrease from last year.Commissioner William O'Gurek said the board is happy with the policy."We got good news this week and part of it was due to the efforts of all our people in trying to reduce claims and stress safety," he said.Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, added that the safety committee addresses a number of problems and the county tries to hold various safety programs for employees.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, who sits on the safety committee, echoed Nothstein, adding that any safety concerns, whether it be uneven sidewalks, lack of properly painted crosswalks, or necessary signs, are addressed monthly and have helped make employees safer in the workplace."It's all about communication and working together," Gerhard said.In addition to covering employees, the insurance policy covers $92.5 million in county property and 57 vehicles, general liability, errors and omissions, crime, equipment breakdown, flood insurances and more.In 2007-2008, the county paid $380,109 for the insurance policy. It then dropped to $338,383 for 2008-2009; increased to $386,446 in 2009-2010; decreased to $357,598 in 2010-2011; decreased again to $259,521 in 2011-2012; increased slightly in 2012-2013 to $271,600; and decreased to $266,058 in 2013-2014.One of the factors that drives the annual premium is the loss experience and claims. Last year, Carbon's losses were just under $7,000 for eight claims, which represents over $107,000 less than in 2010.Carbon County is one of 47 counties and four county-related agencies that utilize the PCoRP insurance, operated by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. PCoRP, which was formed in April 1987, insures over $3.6 billion worth of property throughout Pennsylvania, as well as thousands of vehicles and employees.In other matters, Irene Genther of Nesquehoning addressed the board and brought her concerns regarding two permits that had been issued by the state to Silberline Manufacturing Company in Tamaqua, to allow storm water from the facility to run into Nesquehoning Creek.The permits were applied for in August 2012, according to public notices in the Times News.Genther expressed her disapproval of the permits because she believes the storm water runoff would be contaminated and could be potentially harmful to the Hauto Valley, where the Nesquehoning Creek runs.Gerhard said the county will look into the matter to see if there is anything that can be done about it.The commissioners also acted on the following items:• Approve the fiscal status/closeout reports for FY 2010 Community Development Block Grant program, project period Aug. 24, 2010 to Aug. 23 2015 for: Carbon County, $290,681; Franklin Township, $106,949; Jim Thorpe, $114,479; Lansford, $106,775; Lehighton, $124,317; and Palmerton, $120,438.• Accepted the resignation of Jeffrey P. Aster of Walnutport, who was a part-time county detective in the district attorney's office, effective April 28.• Accepted the resignation of Nancy A. Juracka of Jim Thorpe as the part-time legal secretary in the district attorney's office, effective May 29.• Hired Kasaundra L. Barclay of Lehighton as a lifeguard at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, effective June. 2.