Published: August 06, 2008 10:05 am      

Floyd County’s medical benefits under review

A committee likely will be formed to study medical insurance benefits for county employees.

The Floyd County Commissioners suggested forming the committee to see if the benefits package should change. Bids are being looked at for 2009.

The benefits structure has not changed for employees in 12 years, according to Rick Zoeller with Neace Lukens, the county’s agent.

County employees pay a $100 deductible, and Zoeller said raising the deductible $150 would save the county more than $100,000 a year.

“I think that needs to be looked at,” said Floyd County Councilwoman Dana Fendley. “It’s the county’s biggest expense.”

Councilman Larry McAllister said he is not in favor of raising the deductible.

“We try to give them good insurance because we can’t give them raises,” he said of county employees.

Zoeller said claims are currently 57 percent less this year than in 2007.

Commissioner Steve Bush said he wants to form a committee to study insurance proposals. No date was scheduled.

In other business

• The commissioners approved a cumulative firefighting building and equipment fund for the Georgetown Township Fire District.

The tax levy will be .033 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. It will bring in around $165,000 a year.

The money will be used for equipment and maintenance.

The district also applied for a 2007 Safer grant that, if awarded, will provide $435,000 to provide salary and benefits to four full-time firefighters over four years. The grant requires a commitment from the district to keep the new firefighters after the grant expires.

• The commissioners also agreed to provide $20,000 of Riverboat funds to help fund a full-time marshal for Greenville.