Carbon County will pay $98,000 less this year on insurance to keep the county and its employees covered.

The commissioners Thursday voted to renew the 2011-2012 insurance policy with the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) at a total cost of $259,521. This is a $98,077 decrease from last year.Commissioner William O'Gurek, chairman, explained that the decrease is due to the county no longer covering Weatherwood, which was sold to a private business last July.O'Gurek said that this insurance covers $120 million in county property and 60 vehicles. It also covers general liability, crime insurance, public official insurance and more.The county currently employs over 400 employees in various departments.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; and decreased again to $357,598 in 2010-2011.In other matters, Ralph Lennon, vice-chairman of the 2011 Pennsylvania State Fire Convention, updated the commissioners on the upcoming state fire convention, which will take place Sept. 21-24 in Lake Harmony, Kidder Township.He said that the committee is working hard at promoting both the event and the county to all fire departments across the state.Thousands of men and women are expected to descend to Carbon County for the convention.New this year, Lennon pointed out was the addition of hands-on training to the convention scheduled, and a county-wide division in the parade.For more information on the upcoming convention, visit

http://www.2011pastateconvention.com.