Faced with what looks to be a tight budget year ahead, Bedford County Financial Management Committee voted Tuesday night to recommend a bid for liability and worker's compensation insurance directly from Tennessee Risk Management Pool, bypassing a local insurance agent.

That didn't sit well with Joe Hunt, of H.B. Cowan Insurance, who said his past negotiations on the county's behalf are partly responsible for the low bid and that he has provided personal and attentive service to the various county agencies covered by the insurance.

The finance committee's recommendation must still go before the county commission for approval.

"Why would you go without a local agent?" asked Hunt.

"$21,107," responded finance committee member Joe Tillett, referring to the agency commission the county will save by dealing directly with the Risk Management Pool.

The county's total savings by accepting the Risk Management Pool's bid will be $193,748 as compared to the 2006-07 fiscal year.

County Finance Director Robert Daniel said he dealt directly with Tennessee Risk Management Pool in soliciting this year's bid -- but not with the other bidder, Tennessee Local Government Insurance Pool.

Hunt claimed his negotiations with insurance carriers over the years have resulted in this year's competitive bid process.

"You got the savings because I'm sitting here," said Hunt. He said the commission he charges the county is lower than charged to his industrial clients and that it's justified by the personal service he provides.

"We earn the money," he said. He said Bedford County Emergency Medical Services director Chad Graham "is in my office once every two weeks" asking about coverage issues.

Commissioner Joe Tillett made the motion to recommend the Risk Management Pool bid; it passed by voice vote, with only Bobby Vannatta heard to vote "no" and the chairman stating that there was only one "no" vote.

In another acknowledgment of tight fiscal conditions, the committee hinted it might not approve incentive pay for county employees who attend local government training conducted by the University of Tennessee. Deputy Trustee Cindy Ray appeared before the committee to request the incentive pay, which many courthouse departments had included in their budgets in the past, before consolidation of county payrolls under a centralized finance department. Ray said there were five employees projected to be eligible for the bonuses in the next fiscal year, at an estimated cost of $12,500. But she said the training provided makes them better employees and helps the county operate more efficiently.

"It's a very good investment," said Ray.

But Tillett said the committee is trying to cut county spending, and dropping non-essential programs like incentive bonuses may be one way to do it.

"I think that's something we're all going to have to consider," said Tillett.

Daniel said the committee needs to schedule a work session next week to begin discussions of the 2008-09 budget. The new fiscal year will begin July 1.

In other action Tuesday night:

* The committee approved adding $700,000 to an already-approved $4 million capital outlay note to cover the higher-than-expected construction budget for Community High School. The county school board, meeting earlier this month, approved a guaranteed maximum price of $16.5 million for the school.

School superintendent and finance committee vice-chairman Ed Gray, who chaired Tuesday night's meeting in the absence of chairman Roger Brothers, said the school system will be able to repay the money from the growth payments it receives from the state based on increased student enrollment. A $788,000 growth payment is expected this summer, but not until after the start of the new fiscal year. Because of recent construction projects, the school system also won't have to spend $300,000 in the new fiscal year on portable classrooms as it has in the past few years.

* The committee approved a financial management policies and procedures manual as required by the state's Financial Management Act of 1981, which now governs the county's finances. The manual primarily collects existing policies, with a few new ones prepared to fill in the gaps. It will be sent to all county offices.

* The finance committee voted to send to the full commission, without any recommendation, a request for $192,849 from Bedford County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The money relates to change orders on a contract for a county communications system which BCEMA signed several years ago, before the county consolidated its departments under the Financial Management Act of 1981. Under the new system, change orders must be approved by the finance director's office, but these change orders didn't go through that process. Nonetheless, the county owes the money and it will have to be paid, committee members were told.

Committee member J.D. "Bo" Wilson said that because of the nature of the expenditures, EMA should ask the Emergency Communications District (E-911) to pay some or all of the cost. County Mayor Eugene Ray said EMA Director Scott Johnson is discussing that issue with E-911.

If the county does have to pay the money itself, it will probably have to be financed by means of a capital outlay note.

* The finance committee heard a request from Bedford County Animal Control to purchase a surplus ambulance unit from Bedford County Emergency Medical Service for use as a pet adoption vehicle. The finance committee referred the matter to the courthouse and county property committee.