The Seneca County commissioners are expecting an 8-percent increase for county employees' health insurance next year.
Ron Burns of Corporate One Benefits and consultant with the county on its health insurance program spoke at the commissioner's office Thursday morning about the county's health plan going into 2013.
The county is at the end of its three-year commitment with CEBCO, and with the 8-percent increase, there are to be no changes to the current health care plans, but the deal is still well below the market, Burns said.
He said they tested the market place and saw other insurance plan ranges were 18-25 percent above the proposed renewal with the 8-percent increase.
The Health Insurance Advisory Committee recommended commissioners accept the 8-percent increase from CEBCO, Burns said.
"The 8 percent, in my opinion, is very, very reasonable," Commissioner Jeff Wagner said.
The county offers two plans, Burns said. One is the base plan that offers a health savings account with a high-deductible health plan, and the other is a buy-up $1,000 deductible plan.
Board President Ben Nutter said he is in support of the HSA because he said it has a significant impact on employees. He said county employees are working for less money today than they were five years ago, due to increased health-care costs.
"I don't want to miss the opportunity to support the employees, at least a little bit," Nutter said. "I know it doesn't make up for everything."
In addition to the HSA, the county is expected to continue its wellness incentive program as well.
"Even though there's a slight increase in the insurance, I think there's some positives here," Wagner said. "We're continuing the HSA contribution from the county, we're continuing the wellness program."
Teresa Copp, Seneca Juvenile and Probate Court administrator, said the wellness program has been wonderful and does not want to see it get "watered down."
"They've done a wonderful job, they've been very busy," she said. "It's been a lot of work, they've put in a lot of time. Our employees have really appreciated it."
Paul Shoemaker, who attended the meeting, said he agrees with what the county wants to do with the HSA plan, but he said he wants to see people with the buy-up plan get something additional because the buy-up plan is more expensive.
In new business, the board approved:
Bill vouchers.
An appropriation adjustment of $93.75 for Soil & Water Conservation District.
A fund advance of $8,000 from the General Fund to the Highway Safety Grant Fund.
A fund transfer of $7,810 to the CR 34 Bridge Superstructure Project.
An appropriation adjustment of $2,000 for the Clerk's Computer Research Fund.
An appropriation adjustment of $4,173.21 within the General Fund.
A supplemental appropriation of $4,255.33 for the VOCA Expansion Project Fund.
A request for a fund advance repayment of $91,000 from the Seneca County Sewer District US 23/244.
A supplemental appropriation of $305 within the FY13 Community Corrections PSI Fund for 2012.
A fund transfer of $66,038 to be made to the Public Assistance Fund.
A supplemental appropriation of $26,385 for the Bascom Construction Fund.
A resolution accepting the revised Seneca County personnel policy manual as submitted by Clemans Nelson & Associates.
A resolution accepting a recommendation from Kusmer & Associates Architects & Engineers awarding a bid to M&B Asphalt Co. Inc. for a street improvement project in Bettsville, to be paid with CDBG FY 2011 funds.
A resolution authorizing the contract agreement with Shaferly Excavating LTD for Parcel C obstruction removal on behalf of the Seneca County Airport.
