County cutting employee dependent insurance premiums [Mineral Wells Index, Texas]

Sept. 14--PALO PINTO -- To control rapidly rising health and life insurance care costs, Palo Pinto County will no longer contribute toward dependent health care and life insurance premium costs for employees hired on and after Oct. 1.

Current employees will see reductions in the amount the county contributes toward insurance coverage for their dependents. County employees will have to make it up at their own cost through payroll deductions. The county will continue to cover an employee's group health and life insurance premiums at 100 percent.

Employee health insurance coverage is estimated to cost the county $1.4 million annually. In the past, the county has covered premiums for employees and dependents. But with growing costs, the county has incrementally passed more of dependent premium costs to the employees over the years, according to County Auditor Sharon Allen.

Allen said the intention is to have dependent premiums completely shifted to employees over the next two to five years.

This move and announcement has been a seemingly bitter pill for some employees to swallow and caused commissioners to make room on Monday's agenda to hear staff concerns regarding healthcare modifications.

"Insurance is one of the things that keep our employees here," noted Sheriff Ira Mercer.

One other staff member spoke, saying there are "a lot of questions" and suggesting commissioners have an evening meeting one day so more employees can attend.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jeff Fryer said commissioners will be shopping for cheaper insurance next year.

On Thursday, County Judge David Nicklas reported that commissioners will meet Monday at 5 p.m. "to try and answer any questions county employees might have regarding dependent insurance coverage."

Allen said she recalls that up until the late 1990s the county covered all health insurance premiums for employee as well as their spouses and dependents.

However, she added that over the last 12 to 13 years health care and health insurance costs have risen dramatically -- "faster than you can realistically pass it on to employees."

She added that roughly 12-13 years ago, the county paid between $10 to $25 per pay period for employee dependent insurance. In fiscal year 2013, the county will offer five tiers of coverage, which retains fully covering the employee's portion. Employee's share of coverage will cost from $80 per pay period for one dependent up to $200 for coverage for the entire family. Tax rate passed After having the requisite public hearings on the 2012 tax rate, on Monday Palo Pinto County Commissioners approved an order setting the 2012 tax rate at 33.20 cents per $100 taxable value.

As it was proposed and reported last month, this includes a 27.78 cent general fund tax rate and a 5.42 cent road-andbridge rate. The 2012 tax rate will raise more M&O taxes than last year's rate, which required a certain number of public hearings.

Also on Monday commissioners approved tourism budgets for the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce and the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce.

PKCC has budgeted to spend $146,200 toward tourism for 2013, which Executive Director Gayla Chambers said is $6,500 less than last year, since "we think PK is OK," she said, quoting the public relations marketing slogan the chamber used last year, after the 2011 fire season, to draw people back to recreation on the lake.

Chambers said they plan seven chamber-sponsored events, including the upcoming "Possum Fest" and barbeque and chili cook off, which will take place Oct. 4-5.

In addition to its planned tourism events, the PKCC also helps with destination events like this Sunday's TRIFECTA Triathlon and many bass tournaments, including the Texas Bass Championships scheduled for Sept. 30.

The MWACC budget for 2013 includes tourism costs of $214,898. Executive Director Beth Watson said some of the expenses go to advertising in publications like Texas Highways, Tour Texas, Dallas, Fort Forth and North Texas Child, State Travel Guide, TourTexas.com and Ride Texas Magazine.

Watson also reported on events the MWACC helped fund in 2012, including: Frontier Christmas at the Old Jail Museum; Ultimate Wedding Givewaway at Clark Gardens; the 75th Annual PRCA Rodeo; three bikes races and rides; the Crazy Water Festival; Coffee Creek RV Resort Bluegrass Festival and updating the National Vietnam War Museum.

Another budget-related item commissioners addressed Monday was its proposed fiscal year 2013 change to county contributions toward employee dependent insurance coverage. On Monday, commissioners also: --Approved several requests for replats of property, including four in Sportsman's World and two at The Hills Above Possum Kingdom.

--Held public hearings for district clerk and county clerk preservation and restoration or records plans, which were followed by setting fees.

--Approved a new 1/2-ton GMC Sierra pickup truck for the Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Office for $27,407, which was the lowest bid. They also authorized trading trucks, with the Emergency Management Coordinator's vehicle going to Precinct 3 Commissioner Mike Pierce's department and the former sheriff's vehicle going to Emergency Services.

--Authorized construction of a new tax office service window at the Poston Building. The window will face the west entrance. Tax Assessor-Collector Linda Tuggle said this will help solve a problem with noise coming from an air conditioner above one of the existing windows, while it will help relieve congestion during busy periods.

___

(c)2012 the Mineral Wells Index (Mineral Wells, Texas)

Visit the Mineral Wells Index (Mineral Wells, Texas) at www.mineralwellsindex.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services