Jackson County receives $35,400 health dividend

MURPHYSBORO — Jackson County received a dividend check for just over $35,000 connected to its employee health insurance program during the latest County Board meeting at the Jackson County Courthouse.

The dividend stemmed from the county’s participation in the HOPE Trust, an intergovernmental risk pool that provides health, dental and vision benefits to county employees.

Kevin Kern of Snedeker Risk Management addressed the board and explained that the HOPE Trust was formed about 15 years ago with four counties and has since grown to include more than 30 public employers across Illinois.

He said the trust’s growth has helped reduce administrative burdens and spread financial risk across a broader pool of participants, which benefits both employers and employees.

Kern said the trust’s executive board voted last year to issue dividends to participating employers, a move he described as uncommon in the insurance industry.

“It simply doesn’t happen very often that you have an insurance company give you some money back,” Kern said as he addressed board members.

Kern also recognized Jackson County Treasurer Liz Stevenson for her role on the HOPE Trust executive board, noting her involvement in the decision-making process.

“I want to let you know your county treasurer actually made the motion to award the highest dividend amount that was proposed,” Kern said.

Following the presentation, board members approved a lengthy consent agenda that included routine financial and administrative items related to county operations. The agenda included approval of payments for HOPE Trust dental and vision claims totaling $10,094.74, medical administrative claims totaling $681,822 and on-demand claims totaling $246,301.95.

The board also approved more than two dozen delinquent tax resolutions involving parcels throughout Jackson County. Additional approvals included renewal of audit services, monthly ambulance service claims totaling $312,807.66 and highway department claims totaling $86,743.46.

Several board and commission appointments and reappointments were also approved during the meeting.

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