No premium for single-coverage workers as Condington County approves health insurance plan

County employees opting for single-coverage health insurance will again not have to pay any monthly premiums after the Codington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved Sanford Health plans for 2023.

But at least two commissioners believe that perhaps in upcoming years employees should have to contribute.

The discussion came up after the commissioners approved the new policy, which saw a 6.5% increase over 2022.

Both Myron Johnson and Charlie Waterman said they think the commission should consider having employees contribute to the premiums. Commissioners Troy VanDusen and Brenda Hanten said paid individual premiums give the county a benefit compared to higher salaries found in competing private sector jobs.

Waterman said that one of three options available for single coverage provides almost $11,000 in savings to an employee.

"Then everybody wants a nice percent of (pay) increase," Waterman said. "Maybe next year is the time to start thinking about this ahead of time."

VanDusen said that he liked the new plan and said it was a perk available to county employees.

"It's a benefit. A huge benefit," VanDusen said. "I like that and I was glad to only see it go up 6%. I'm not saying we don't need to look at this, but this is one thing that when people decide to come work for the county or stay with the county, health insurance is a big thing."

Auditor Cindy Brugman, who's retiring this year, said in a recent job interview an applicant said the salary the county offered was lower than her current pay, but that she would consider county benefits before determining where to work.

Hanten said the insurance benefits are one thing the county can do to entice qualified individuals to work for the county and to retain them.

County employees have three options depending on deductible costs. All provide free premiums for single coverage. The county pays half of premium costs for family plans.

Compiling property appraisals will begin soon

Providing monthly reports were Brugman, Director of Equalization Shawna Constant and Welfare Director Sara Foust.

Constant said her office is finishing assessment field work, and the process of putting together property appraisals will soon get started.

Foust noted there has been a "significant rise" in mental health issues in the county. She's spoken with Human Service Agency officials about the increase and said finding facilities to help those in crisis can be difficult. She said the new HSA facility will help alleviate the issue, but that completion of that structure has been delayed due to construction shortages.

Foust also said the Helpline Center, which started serving Watertown earlier this year, is able to handle calls 93% of the time without the need to call law enforcement officials. She told the commissioners that her department is continuing to work on obtaining a van formerly used by the Veterans Service Office. The van's owner is the Disabled American Veterans organization.

In other action the commissioners:

* Approved a seasonal Memorial Park campground management services agreement with Scott and Gail Wahl for $19,000.

* Established an account with Reliabank of Watertown that will be used for reservations made at Memorial Park.

* Authorized Commission Chairwoman Hanten to sign a lease termination agreement for Girl Scout property at Memorial Park.

* Accepted a $1,000 grant from the Watertown Area Community Foundation for a childcare survey in the county.