BOC discusses budget, insurance policies

May 16--AMERICUS -- On Tuesday the Sumter County Board of Commissioners held a three-hour work session at the Sumter County Courthouse. On the agenda were several updates on road projects, budget discussions and the possible renewal of the employee benefits program.

Insurance Broker John Leggett of the MSI Benefits Group was the first to speak at the meeting, explaining the options for the Board in regards to their employee benefits package.

The County is insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield through the ACCG, a 114-county pool. Legette explained that the pool this year ran about 95 percent, meaning that for every dollar all the counties paid in premium, Blue Cross paid out about 95 cents in claims. Legette said that in a normal year, that number is around 78-80 percent. Out of the 22 years that they have had this health plan, Leggett said that this was the second-worst year they have ever had.

Legette then highlighted the two options for the Board to consider. Option one was to stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and option two was to switch to the only other competitive bid, which came from Cigna. Option one would involve about an eight percent increase to the County, which originally started at 24 percent. With the use of the Cigna quote, Blue Cross got more aggressive to bring the increase down to just under nine percent.

Leggett said that while option two, switching to Cigna, was a little bit more, they also offered a little bit better plan. Legette also reminded the Board that Blue Cross is still less expensive, and that if they chose to leave their current provider they would not be able to re-enter the pool for two years. Leggett urged the Board to remember that Cigna was the only other company to provide a competitive option, so if they did chose to leave Blue Cross they might not have the protection of getting a competitive quote if the rates skyrocketed next year.

After hearing the options, County administrator Bill Twomey recommended not to move to Cigna, which Leggett agreed with. The Board then decided to give their final answer at the next Board meeting on May 22.

Mandy Young gave an update on a proposed housing development on Felder Street by the MACO Development Co., who is currently constructing Creekview Commons off of Magnolia Street. The $9 million investment, if it is funded, will feature 64 units ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units. Young said that they will find out about the funding for the units in November, because they expect about a $1.5 million impact locally on businesses and government services.

Bob Ridgway, a local citizen, addressed the Board concerning tax relief for senior citizens ages 62 and older for the school portion of their property taxes. The Board considered Ridgway's proposal, and ultimately Board Chairman Randy Howard invited Ridgway to meet personally with him at a later date so that they could move on with the meeting.

The floor was then opened to the citizens of the meeting for comments. Bill Layman addressed concerns for road conditions on Watermelon Road and Kitchen Cemetery Road, as did Sue Minick on Wohlwender Road. Wayne Bowen also inquired about how to find about contractor jobs that the city posts, and Sharon Mills expressed concern about her dog being shot with a tranquilizer dart by County Animal Control, and later dying from injuries presumably from the dart.

The Board then approved the following issues:

--Approval to open a new checking account for the 2014 CHIP Grant.

--Approval to open a new Solid Waste/Landfill Account.

--Approval of contract between Kansas State Bank of Manhattan and the Sumter County Board of Commissioners for the financing of one 2015 Mack GU433 Truck for 60 payments, each in the amount of $1,887.88 for a total amount of $105,195.

--Approval of the request for lighting upgrades to the Lake Blackshear Regional Library to Electric-Tek in the amount of $84,460.

--Approval of the request from the Sumter County Tax Assessors to refund Tony Davis in the amount of $18.96.

The Board also carried over the request for approval of a budget amendment for the Sheriff's Office for the purchase of an additional patrol unit, and decided that County attorney Bill NeSmith will begin to send out easement letters to land owners on the abandoned Hobbs Street, which will be closed. The Board also heard updates from Public Works Director Frank Whitaker on paving projects totaling 14.11 miles and $1,395,000 of TSPLOST/SPLOST/LMIG, and heard reports from the Sumter County Fire and Rescue Department, the Sumter County EMA, and Code Enforcement.

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