BC 2007 03 12 Wk. Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 12, 2007 (Work Session) Page 290 Chief Burnette and the County Manager responded to several additional questions from the Board. UPON MOTION of Commissioner White, seconded by Vice Chairman Juba and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to place the request for a 15-year interest-free loan to Midland Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc. for construction of a new fire station on the March 26, 2007 Agenda as a New Business item. Flood Plain Sediment Erosion Control and Stream Buffers Kenny Morrison, a former member of the Watershed Improvement Commission, expressed concern that the regulations for flood plains, sedimentation and erosion control and stream buffers are not adequately enforced. He also commented on the granting of variances and the use of outdated FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) flood plain maps. He said more emphasis should be placed on protection of the watershed and stream buffers, more inspectors need to be hired to hold developers accountable and more funding is needed for educational and enforcement efforts. John Day, County Manager, reported the Commerce Department has requested additional personnel in the FY 07/08 budget for Soil and Erosion Control. He said the Commerce Director will prepare a report and the Board can decide how to move forward. Mr. Morrison responded to several questions from the Board. Employee Wellness Center - Update Johanna Ray, Health and Wellness Manager, along with Mark Browder of Mark III Brokerage, provided an update on the Employee wellness Center. The update included statistics on employee usage and savings generated by the Center since its opening. There was a brief discussion and Mr. Browder responded to questions from the Board. Health Insurance Premium Increase Johanna Ray, Health and Wellness Manager, commented on the need to plan for health care cost increases. She said CIGNA calls for a 17 percent increase, but due to the County's reserves, the fund only needs a 13 percent increase. She recommended an increase of county funding of 15 percent or to $512.00 per month per employee for the medical plan, a zero increase in employee contributions and no change for dependent coverage. At the request of the County Manager, Mark Browder with Mark III Brokerage, commented on properly budgeting and funding a self-funded health plan based on claim trends. There was a brief discussion. UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Juba, seconded by Commissioner Mynatt and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to place the proposal on the March 26, 2007 Agenda as a Consent item. There was further discussion on other entities' health plans. to Pay a Portion of Health Johanna Ray, Health and Wellness Manager, presented a plan that would require tobacco using employees to pay $50.00 of their health insurance premium and offer an offsetting discount of $50.00 for employees who are non- tobacco users. Mark Browder, Mark III Brokerage, reported tobacco is a known creator of health issues, there are no proven benefits to tobacco use and health care costs associated with tobacco use can be tracked. He also reported on the cessation strategies that will be available for employees that are tobacco users. UPON MOTION of Commissioner White, seconded by Vice Chairman Juba and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to place the proposal on the March 26, 2007 Agenda as a Consent item. Recess of Meeting