Public Entity Risk Management: Facing Challenges Through Collaboration

Public entities today are navigating a wide range of complex and evolving risk challenges, from budget constraints and regulatory changes to reputational threats and operational disruptions. In this collaborative roundtable session at RIMS 2025, attendees engaged with a panel of experts to explore the most pressing issues impacting public sector organizations and exchanged real-world strategies for overcoming them.

Speakers included:
• Mike Tiffany – Executive Director, Arizona School Risk Retention Trust
• Jason Gates – Director, Bureau of State Risk Management, State of Wisconsin
• Marcus Henthorn – Managing Director, Gallagher Public Sector & K-12 Education
• Mark Walls – Chief Marketing Officer, Safety National

Q: What is your experience with First Amendment audits?

A: These individuals’ sole purpose is to exploit the First Amendment, and to get a reaction out of a city employee, so they can capture it on video. There have been instances of extremely confrontational individuals coming into our public buildings. In some of the earlier examples of this occurring, employees did not know how to respond, and we realized that training was going to be essential in managing this.  Human reactions are instinctual, so training had to include “fire drills” where scenarios are acted out to add that real world experience. Procedures for handling these incidents should be adopted from policy language.

Q: How have you handled unhoused encampments outside your public buildings?

A: We have enhanced security near our buildings. We’ve also proactively  changed our landscaping and maintenance plans, so we stop the issue before it becomes a problem. It’s important to lean on third-party resources for advice.

Q: How do you handle PTSD claims?

A: First responder post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) workers’ compensation claims have been steadily increasing. It is not contained to one group though. Connecticut and Florida teachers that were witnesses to these incidents also requested coverage because of what they experienced.

Mental health coverage is expanding in every state, and could be the next significant challenge in workers’ compensation. Injured worker health has to be approached holistically, so treating mental health becomes key. The workers’ compensation market has been relatively stable but presumptive injuries blur the line between health insurance claims and workers’ compensation claims. These claims are incredibly expensive, difficult to handle, and adjusters  assigned to these claims are becoming burnt out because of how deeply personal these claims can be.

Q: What is your experience with litigation financing?

A: We are aware of it, but we are just not sure anything can be done about it. Everyone in this industry should be helping with changing the narrative around legal system abuse, which helps shift how the public views it. Some states have been successful with tort reform, but most states still have no guardrails, and limiting its impact requires more support. Jury verdicts are more costly than ever, yet most consumers do not understand the resulting tort tax, which is passed down to them, as a result of these verdicts.

Q: How are you approaching sexual abuse and molestation (SAM) claims?

A: The best possible approach is avoiding SAM claims altogether. It is not just about training, but instilling a code of ethics that everyone understands. There are significant challenges though. For example, California legislature removed the statute of limitations, making it a nearly indefensible claim.

Q: When working with a third-party vendor who owns the data?

A: Before we get involved with any vendor, we proactively work with attorneys who specialize in understanding contracts to clearly show who owns the data. Always include them in the contract process, so this is very clear and transparent from the start.