BRIEF: Wadesboro adopts new rule for retirees’ health insurance [The Anson Record, Wadesboro, N.C.]

May 16--The Wadesboro Town Council adopted a rule on Thursday during a special called meeting for new employees to cut costs.

The rule will go into effect July 1. "The rule of 85" would require employees to have a combined age and years of service of 85 in order to qualify for health insurance paid by the town during retirement. Town Clerk Nancy Huntley</person> said existing employees would be grandfathered.

Town Manager John Witherspoon warned at the council's May 7 meeting that he was concerned the town has been using fund balance to cover lower revenues for several years. He described property taxes as flat while franchise taxes are down although sales tax collections have seen some improvement.

He recommended adoption of the rule of 85, along with other measures to cope with lower revenues, including a higher tax on Internet cafes. He warned that cuts to services would almost certainly mean shedding employees.

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