(A) It is the general practice of the County to use County-owned vehicles for business use. When an employee uses his/her personal vehicle in conducting County business, that employee is eligible for reimbursement at the County's approved rate for mileage reimbursement as set by the County Council.
(B) Prior to using personal vehicles for county business, all county employees must provide their elected official or department head, and the County Board of Commissioners, with copies of their personal automobile liability insurance policy, and their valid operator's license.
(C) A county employee shall not use a county owned vehicle, or their own vehicle for county business within the scope of their employment unless they are covered by an automobile liability policy, and have a valid operator's license.
(D) In the event a property damage claim is paid by an employee's personal insurance company for a claim arising out of the use of a private vehicle under this section, the county will pay the deductible not covered by the employee's private insurance
(E) In certain instances an employee or office holder may be assigned a county-owned vehicle and allowed to take that vehicle home and to use it for personal use. This practice is known as “permissive use.” The personal use of a county vehicle must be authorized in advance and the user is subject to any applicable federal or state tax regulations governing such use.
(F) Any individual driving a vehicle owned by the County which is involved in an accident/incident shall follow the following:
(1) All County-owned vehicles except Highway Department.
(a) Immediately call 9-1-1 and make a report;
(b) Call your supervisor;
(c) Call Karas Insurance at 219-779-9204, leaving message if no answer;
(d) It is the driver’s responsibility to report the accident to Karas Insurance on date of accident. Leave a call back number on Karas’ voicemail, if necessary;
(e) Complete incident report and follow instructions on form (Exhibit A attached to Ord. 1356C-4, passed 8-8-2017, a copy of which is available in the County Clerk’s office);
(2) Highway Department use only.
(a) Immediately contact Highway Department dispatch and report accident/incident;
(b) Dispatch will immediately call local police department and supervisor;
(c) Dispatch will call Karas Insurance at 219-779-9204. Driver must confirm Karas called;
(d) It is driver’s responsibility to verify Karas Insurance was notified on date of accident. Driver can also call Karas. Leave call back number on voicemail, if necessary;
(e) Complete incident report and follow instructions on form (Exhibit A attached to Ord. 1356C-4, passed 8-8-2017, a copy of which is available in the County Clerk’s office).
(G) In addition, the County’s liability is significantly limited should the vehicle be used for personal use. Specifically, the County’s liability is limited to:
(1) Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for bodily injury to, or in the death of one (1) individual;
(2) Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for bodily injury to, in the death of two (2) or more individuals in any one (1) accident;
(3) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for damage to or in the destruction of property in one (1) accident.
(H) For further clarification regarding this policy, an employee should contact the Lake County Board of Commissioners’ Attorney.