Craighead County Justices Talk Insurance
by October 15, 2014 5:46 am 133 views
Craighead County employees and their families are likely to see an increase in their insurance premiums come January, officials said at their most recent meeting.
Officials with Centennial Insurance spoke to justices about the 7.8% increase that will take effect Jan. 1.
Dick Darouse, an official with the insurance company, said a little over half (4.1%) of the increase was due to increases in taxes and fees from the Affordable Care Act.
Darouse said the increase could have been even higher if officials had gone elsewhere for insurance coverage.
The county has 279 people enrolled in the insurance program, managed by Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Tony Thomas, administrative assistant for County Judge Ed Hill, said the program includes employees and their families.
There are two types of insurance available in the program.
A core policy is offered free to employees and also covers 50% of the family insurance cost. Another program, called the “Buy Up” program, has a lower deductible and prescription cost. Meanwhile, employees pay the entire amount, Thomas said.
Thomas said county officials are currently working on the outlines for the 2015 budget. The health insurance issue will help county officials get a look at the fixed costs before the budget is approved.
Wednesday is the deadline for residents to pay their property taxes without having to face a penalty, Thomas said.
The property tax numbers provide a strong indicator on how much revenue the county will have to work with.
“We are already looking at the expenses,” Thomas said. “But we should have a true figure (on the revenue) by the end of the month.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, justices:
Heard from Sheriff Marty Boyd about the funding of state inmates being held in county jails. Boyd said Craighead County averages about 105 state prisoners in the county jail in Jonesboro. The county is reimbursed $28 per day per prisoner, while they spend about $45 a day on housing prisoners.
Heard from resident Dan Melton about federal regulations involving electricity, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Blue Water program.
Reviewed the county’s 2013 audit from the Division of Legislative Audit.
Voted to appropriate $44,574.89 to fund two school resource officers at Brookland Public Schools.
Voted to appropriate $126,302.30 to pay for salaries, benefits, professional services, travel and other purposes for the Craighead County adult treatment court and mental health court.