BC 2006 03 13 WORK SESSION - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 13, 2006 - Agenda Work Session Page 526 There was a lengthy debate on the proposal. Issues addressed included the following: employers are becoming more involved in the wellness of their employees; wellness activities will become more commonplace in the future; infringement upon the employees; alcohol related health costs; offering employees a choice; concerns that the rate structure would be a financial burden on low-wage earners; preventive health care is less costly than remedial care; unfair for non-tobacco users to bear the healthcare costs of tobacco users; and efforts by the County to increase healthy lifestyles. Commissioner Privette inquired if Juba Aluminum had implemented a similar program. vice Chairman Juba stated she resented Juba Aluminum being brought into most Board meetings. She asked Commissioner Privette, for the record, to refrain from pulling her company into every meeting. There was further discussion regarding health issues and health care costs related to the use of tobacco products, the efforts to assist those employees who wish to quit and the affidavit that employees will be required to sign certifying they do not use tobacco products. Don Cummings, Human Resources Director, reported the County did not have access to an actual number of employees who smoke. He commented on the savings to those persons who stop smoking, including health care and insurance costs along with the money spent on tobacco products, and the impact on the County's health insurance plan. After further discussion, Vice proposal on the March 20, 2006 Agenda. Chairman Juba moved to place the Chairman Carruth seconded the motion. Commissioner Privette stated his intent to present an amendment at the regular meeting that the County give the same amount of discount for employees who are abstainers of alcohol and other drugs. Further, he said he would bring additional information regarding this issue to the regular meeting. commissioner Carpenter stated she wanted time to get the information before placing the item on the Agenda. There was further discussion regarding the issues associated with the use of alcohol, the use of tobacco products and health care costs. Mr. Browder pointed out that Open Enrollment would begin in April. He commented on the time that would be needed to implement the alcohol part of the program, including how to measure what is good and what is not. Mr. Browder stated the tobacco part would not be done this year if it were contingent on the alcohol part. The motion by Vice Chairman Juba to place the discount proposal for non-tobacco users on the March 20th Agenda failed with Chairman Carruth and Vice Chairman Juba voting for and Commissioners Carpenter, Freeman and Privette voting against. Chairman Carruth stated the Board could look at the issue during the next year when additional information is available. Agricultural Advisory Board Recommendations for Approval of Applications In the Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance No. 2005-20, Article XIV County Land-Use Planning, Section C Growth Corridors, it states that "in areas of designated growth, agricultural districts will not be permitted in these growth areas without the approval of the Board of Commissioners. II Debbie Bost, County Extension Director, reported there are 11 such applications for the Commissioners' consideration and that these applications have been recommended for approval by the Agricultural Advisory Board. She reviewed the location of each of the properties. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to place the 11 applications identified as being in the "Growth Corridors" for inclusion into the Cabarrus County Voluntary Agricultural District on the March 20, 2006 Agenda as a New Business item. Plan Adjustment for Second Floor of Main Housing Unit