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Health costs concern county |
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Tuesday, December 23 2008 |
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff Writer
Whitley County spends more than $1 million a year on health insurance for its employees, and county officials are considering increasing the contributions from employees as a way to save money.
The total bill for the county is $1.4 million. Currently, single employees pay just $1 a year, while those who cover their children pay $40.74 twice a month, those with spouses pay $53.80 each pay period and those who cover their whole families pay $67.04.
The County Council met Monday afternoon to wrap up business for the year and discussed the insurance issue with county commissioner Tom Rethlake.
“We don’t want to get to the point where we’re pinching the employees too much,” Rethlake said, “but $1 a year for health insurance is outdated.”
Outgoing council member Scott Darley said, “We have to be good stewards of the public’s money, and at $1 per year we’re not good stewards.”
The council will continue to assess the issue in the coming year.
The council also discussed the Kernan-Shepard Report, which calls for a single county executive who would administer the duties of the auditor, treasurer, recorder, assessor, surveyor, sheriff and coroner as well as the township government duties of assessment, poor relief, fire protection, EMS and cemeteries.
The position would replace the three county commissioners with a single county head.
“If it saves the county money, we’re all for it,” Rethlake said. “But he or she would have to have an assistant, plus poor relief, public safety and the EMS responsibilities. How much the state helps us out is important. There would have to be an office and a secretary or two, plus computers.
“There probably would be a referendum in 2010, it would probably put the screws to us. (The council) would have to come up with some money if the state doesn’t.”
Commissioner Mike Schrader said, “Kernan-Shepard takes representation away from the people. It would streamline things, but I have yet to have anyone convince me it’s going to save money.”
At the end of the meeting, Darley, in his last act as a county councilman, said, “I want to thank all the other councilmen for indulging me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 20 years on the council. This has been an opportunity for me, and I hope I have made the most of it.
“All my votes have been with the county taxpayer in mind. I thank you for allowing me to indulge myself.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, December 24 2008 )
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