Warren County will retain the same insurance agents to handle a plan OK’d last week to insure its public buildings and other risk-carrying infrastructure.

Supervisors chose to join a multicounty benefit pool offered by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors. The plan offered a lower annual premium than three competing plans, including The Travelers Companies, which had been the county’s liability insurance carrier for about 20 years, Zurich Insurance and Stone Oak Underwriters Inc.

Local agent John Hennessey, who had co-presented the proposal from Zurich with Jackson-based Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance Inc., asked the Board of Supervisors on Monday to consider voting on who would be the agent of record for the new policy. The move was optional, and supervisors last Monday said they’d keep Vicksburg Insurance Agency, which had presented plans from Travelers and Stone Oak Underwriters Inc.

“I want to point out we had the most competitive full-insured plan by $50,000,” Hennessey said. “We feel like we’re the most qualified to handle your insurance going forward with MAS.”

MAS’ plan, dubbed the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Insurance Trust, or MASIT, quoted a $237,144 premium. Zurich was next-lowest, at $253,508. Travelers’ offer carried a $315,897 annual rate, while Stone Oak’s was highest, at $316,877. Twenty-four other counties have joined the pool, which competitors for Warren’s business questioned openly last week for its $250 million limit, how far back claims can date to be covered, among other concerns.

Board President Bill Lauderdale was quick to put the issue to bed, saying the issue was decided. Hennessey was allowed to speak near the end of supervisors’ meeting, but was not on the printed agenda.

“First of all, you didn’t get on the agenda for this morning,” Lauderdale said. “The second thing is, we have an agent of record. We don’t have a discussion unless somebody on the board wants to bring up an issue.”

None spoke, though supervisors Richard George, who favored keeping Travelers, and John Arnold each said during the meeting — after Hennessey left the meeting room — that he had contacted them since last Monday’s vote.

MAS executive director Derrick Surrette had told the board last Monday the association looks to stick with agents in record already in place when a county first joins the plan. He acknowledged the pool limit and long-term trends in premiums depend on participation. The agency itself is not a licensed insurance dealer in the state but cites attorney general’s opinions of statutes as a basis for the pool.

In its proposal, MAS cited dividends paid through the years by similar pools offered by county associations in Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Kentucky.