County commissioners approve switch to NDPERS for employee health insurance

Sep. 29—GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks County commissioners on Tuesday approved a new, less expensive employee health insurance provider during a special meeting, but some members of the county's employee association aren't happy with how excess funds budgeted for 2027 might be used.

Human Resources Director Michele Thiel presented options for health plans under the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. The estimated annual premium cost next year under NDPERS would be approximately $5.3 million, while the estimated cost under Blue Cross Blue Shield — the current plan — would be approximately $6.05 million.

"This recommendation keeps us within the budgetary mandates while offering our staff a plan structure that lowers deductibles (and) provides more predictable routine care costs," she said.

The commission approved the switch, which will take effect Jan. 1.

Thiel said it is possible costs will change after June 30 next year, as NDPERS is looking at changing its rates starting in July.

"There has been a lot of conversation back and forth with NDPERS," she said. "They have to go and have legislation written and different pieces that are going to be outside of our control, but this is still the cost-effective way to go for both the county and the employees."

To prepare for potential rate increases, commissioners also voted not to lower the county's total budgeted health insurance funds yet and keep that total neutral until the end of 2027, so the excess funds can be used if necessary.

The commission also approved increasing its contribution for family plans to 85% instead of 82%, so employee contributions under those plans would drop from 18% to 15%. Individual plans would still stay at a 90%-10% split for employer-employee contributions.

The meeting was attended by several county employees. Chris Hutton, president of the county's employee association, addressed commissioners after the special meeting was adjourned, saying some employees wanted the county to further reduce employee premiums using the excess funds that were budgeted.

"I'm not upset that we're switching, I just think that 3% to the family plan ... is a little disheartening, compared to the fact that, doing the math ... there's a possibility of saving $1.4 million to you guys, and 3% of that is less than $100,000 that goes back to the employees," he said.

He added employees were not given very long to look at the proposed new health plan under NDPERS, and the employees who attended the meeting were not given an opportunity to speak. Public comment isn't required during special meetings, unlike regular meetings, but is not strictly prohibited and is up to the governing body's discretion.

The NDPERS plan would require employees on the county's existing single-plus-dependent plan to switch to a family plan. The county would also discontinue its health reimbursement arrangement, though employees with flexible spending accounts would be able to continue using those.

Under BCBS, deductibles next year for an individual plan would be $3,400, while under NDPERS it would be $500. For a family plan under BCBS, the deductible would be $6,800, while under NDPERS it would be $1,500.

Under NDPERS, new employee health plans will go into effect the first of the month following the date of employment, whereas the current plan has health plans go into effect the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

In other news, the commission:

* Approved a quote from Nelson Ford in Grand Forks for approximately $17,120 to replace an engine block and rear brakes in one of the vehicles used by the Grand Forks County coroner's office.

* Approved Task Order 4 for Project ULTRA to allow ongoing funds to be allocated to the county by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense. County Administrator Tom Ford said total funds for the order are approximately $5.6 million, including some funds reobligated from the last task order. The main obligation of the order is to ensure 75 flights between GrandSky and various geographical areas in the state, including Cavalier Space Force Station. Commissioner Mark Rustad was not recused from the vote, as State's Attorney Haley Wamstad said North Dakota law states unless there is a "direct and substantial pecuniary" — or financial — interest, elected board members must vote.

* Approved a contract between the coroner's office and Altru Health System for the service of transporting deceased individuals on behalf of the county. Wamstad said the process has previously not been memorialized but the county has been charged for the service. The vote passed 4-1, with Terry Bjerke dissenting.

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