AROUND DELAWARE

Workers' compensation insurance rates will decrease for the fifth year in a row, effective Wednesday, announced Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro on Monday.

The voluntary market will see a double-digit decrease in loss costs, with an average 20.02% reduction. Residual market rates will go down an average of 20.01%.

The Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau agreed to the lower rates after discussion with the Department of Insurance and the state's ratepayer advocate, as well as a review of the DCRB filing by actuaries for each party and a public hearing. Actual savings vary by policy, and lower premiums do not change the amount of compensation an injured employee receives.

Lower rates are part of a bigger mission to help businesses financially. DOI says more than 1,100 employers are also saving money on their workers' compensation premiums by participating in the department's Workplace Safety Program. By undergoing annual safety inspections and complying with associated recommendations, businesses saved a total of $7 million across the state last year, according to a release from DOI, and can continue to save up to 19% off insurance.

DART proposing changes to services; public hearings set

The Delaware Transit Corp. is looking to the public for input on schedule and route changes to DART's bus services.

Most changes apply to New Castle County, including time adjustments to Route 9 to accommodate weekday shift times at the new Amazon facility at Boxwood Road; a drop-off location on Route 33 to Wilmington stopping on the outside of the Del. 4/Del. 896 Park & Ride instead of going inside the facility; and the discontinuing of the 7:28 a.m. trip from Christiana Mall to Peoples Plaza, due to low ridership (which would allow a new trip in the evening).

Minor schedule adjustments are proposed for Kent and Sussex counties to improve performance. Complete details of the proposed schedules are available on DART's website.

Virtual public hearings are scheduled for Dec. 8 from noon-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Visit the website for access links.

DelDOT and DMV issue scam alert

The Delaware Department of Transportation said Monday it has received inquiries about the validity of a text message requiring recipients to "verify your COVID-19 vaccination status" with a link to click.

Department officials are emphasizing that it is not a communication from the Division of Motor Vehicles and should be ignored and deleted.

DMV does not send vaccination status notices via text message, nor is personal information such as driver's license number, Social Security number or payment information requested in this manner. Officials say to report any such messages to local law enforcement.

Easterseals provides notice of data security incident

Some participants in the Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore program may have been affected by a privacy incident involving their personal information.

According to a release from Easterseals, an employee's email account that was subject to fraudulent activity was discovered June 15. The disability services and support organization secured the account and worked with computer forensics professionals to investigate the incident. Easterseals confirmed that unauthorized access to the email, as well as other organization email accounts, occurred on sporadic occasions between April 25 and July 20.

Easterseals was unable to confirm with certainty which emails in an account, if any, were accessed. However, the company forced a password reset of all accounts and extensively reviewed the contents of them to notify potentially affected individuals out of an abundance of caution.

Though there is no evidence that any information has been misused, the reviewed emails and attachments contained personal information like Social Security numbers, addresses, prescriptions, medical records, account numbers and other health-related information.

Ken Sklenar, president/CEO of Easterseals, said in the release that the group has reset account passwords and implemented multifactor authentication for all accounts to enhance existing protections.

Notification to all individuals potentially affected by the incident will be mailed over the next three to five days.

National group awards Sussex with budget award

Sussex County was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2022 budget, adopted by County Council in June.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, based in Chicago, gives the award to public bodies that have demonstrated an observance of the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

The award is presented by the same group that has, for nearly 20 years, applauded the county for its annual audit reporting and financial practices.

County Finance Director Gina A. Jennings said the award demonstrates Sussex County's values and ongoing commitment to quality and excellence in managing the public's finances.

The county satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation that serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device, according to a release from Sussex County. To receive the award, the documents must include an introductory background, organizational chart, narrative on the budgeting process and outline of the county's financial policies and goals.