Logan County Board briefs: county health insurance, speed limit change in East Lincoln

 

[March 26, 2021] 

The Logan County Board voted on several action items at their regular meeting Tuesday, March 16.

Board members present either in person or remotely were Board Chairman Emily Davenport, Vice Chairman Scott Schaffenacker, David Blankenship, Janet Estill, Cameron Halpin, David Hepler, Steve Jenness, Keenan Leesman, Bob Sanders, Annette Welch and Jim Wessbecher. Bob Farmer was absent.

Insurance/Legislative/Liquor Update

Insurance, Legislative, and Liquor Chairman Annette Welch brought forward motions pertaining to medical, dental, vision and life insurance, which are renewed annually.

There are 111 non-union employees on the county insurance, which costs the county approximately $697,000 a year; $523.27 per month per employee.

Welch’s first motion was to approve Blue Cross/Blue Shield as the county's vendor for medical insurance.

At Thursday’s Workshop, county insurance consultant Nathan Whiteman and Andrew Novaria of American Central Insurance shared details of plans they had researched. With BC/BS, Whiteman said they negotiated a final renewal offer of 11.55 percent with an additional two percent ongoing discount if dental and supplemental life are renewed. That would bring the discount to nine-and-a-half percent.

However, Whiteman said the family plans had gone up considerably since last year. The increase mostly impacts the dependent rates on the family plans, which about 17 county employees have.

Board members had concerns about how much the family plans increased.

Hepler said because of the cost increase, he would rather look at other options.

When there is a less expensive plan option, Jenness said he tends to go with it.

The Blue Cross/Blue Shield price increase affects employees with children and Sanders said children tend to go to the doctor more. Sanders thought this increase was ridiculous and asked about using Health Alliance as the vendor as they have in some past years.

Halpin amended the motion to approve Health Alliance as the vendor for medical insurance.

When looking at significant financial impact versus having to possibly switch pharmacies and providers, Halpin said he feels switching pharmacies and providers is easier.

Both the amendment and the main motion as amended passed 9-2 with Leesman and Schaffenacker voting no.

The county’s decision to go with the health Alliance plans was primarily due to the lower cost of dependent coverage for children, spouse and family.

The motion to approve Blue Cross/Blue Shield as the vendor for Dental, Vision and Life Insurance was also amended.

Whiteman said if changing to Health Alliance for medical insurance, he felt it would be best to change dental and vision to them too.

On the ancillary insurance, Novaria said Guardian was the best option.

Welch’s amended motion to approve Guardian for Dental, Vision and Life Insurance was unanimously approved.

The Board also approved funding the Health Savings Account difference between $500 and lowest individual medical plan price.

Road and Bridge Committee update

The board approved Halpin’s resolution to establish a speed limit of 40 miles per hour on 1850th Street in East Lincoln Township.

Logan County Highway Engineer Bret Aukamp said that was done at the request of East Lincoln Township and some residents. He did a study to help determine the best speed limit for the street.

Building and Grounds update

Judge Jonathan Wright said the third-floor courtroom is now opened. Judge Wright was thankful for that because the first-floor courtroom has tight quarters.

When tiles fell in the courtroom in spring 2019, the sound equipment had to be pulled out. Wright said Lincoln Land Communications has bid to reinstall the sound system they took out in 2019 and have in storage for the county. The equipment includes microphones on the tables, witness boxes and judge’s bench. The speakers will go down the full length of the courtroom. Previously the courtroom just had speakers on top of the tables of attorneys, but a few years ago they added a double set of speakers down the full length of the courtroom.

Without the microphones and sound system, Wright said it is difficult to hear anything in the courtroom gallery. To follow COVID protocols with social distancing, some of the jury has to sit in the first few rows of the gallery.

The costs to reinstall the equipment is $5,460.

The second floor will be getting upgraded microphones with a mute button in case attorneys need to speak to their clients. The costs for that will be $1,270. Wright said the old microphones are cumbersome to use, must be right up to people’s mouths and do not pick up much sound. Without mute buttons, there are concerns that people can hear what is not meant to be heard.

Wright wants to make sure the work they are doing is in conjunction with the restoration, so they are not spending money and having to take the sound system back out.

Building and Grounds Committee Chairman David Blankenship said there would be no problem preserving everything with the hardwiring.

The equipment will be installed next week.

Airport/Farm Committee update

The board approve Wessbecher’s motion to accept the farmland lease bid from Brandon and Cory Farmer for $395 an acre.

The lease for the county farm and airport farm expired this year and the new lease will last four years with a two-percent increase in years two, three and four.

Chairman's report

The board approved Davenport’s motion for a 48 month electric contract extension with Mid America. By locking in electric prices now, the county may avoid the expected uptick in pricing.

The next regular board meeting will be Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. in the Orr Building.

[Angela Reiners]