Smiles and laughter are not usually two descriptors of insurance negotiations but for a county that just saved approximately $341,720 a year while providing their employees better coverage, it’s understandable.
At the Monday, Aug. 28 commissioners court meeting, board members took action on several health insurance related items including designation of Anco Insurance Brokers as the agent of record for the county.
Anco was on hand to walk the court through insurance proposals received through the request for proposals process. Submitting insurance agencies included: AETNA, Cigna, Nonstop Health, TAC and Curative. Blue Cross Blue Shield could not quote against TAC since they work hand and hand with one another.
After working through the presentation, the court agreed to move forward with TAC/Blue Cross Blue Shield (which is their current provider) and Nonstop Health.
Adding coverage with Nonstop Health will essentially make every employee’s deductible zero out of pocket as the deductible is placed on a Visa card that can be used for copays or other medical related expenses.
Representatives explained the process of going to a doctor like this: an employee would first give their doctor their Blue Cross Blue Shield card and then anything else that needs to be covered is paid for with use of the Nonstop Health Visa card. Once the card is expended, then the deductible has been met and BCBS will pick up everything else at 100%.
The court also moved forward with providing dental, vision and medical transportation coverage. All of the insurance is covered for employees at 100% and can be added for spouses and children for additional money. Dental coverage also increased from covering $1,000 annually, up to $3,000 a year.
“I really appreciate what you guys have done,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said. “This is overall the best option for the county by far.”
Along with being better coverage for employees, the change will save the county approximately $341,720 a year through the new insurance programs.
Several budgetary items were discussed during the meeting including salaries, expenses and allowances for Erath County Elected Officials (featured on page B2). The county also set its proposed tax rate of .3927 per $100 valuations. The tax rate can be lowered from this number on final approval from the commissioners, but cannot be higher.
Huckabee stated the tax rate was under the voter approval rate and over the no new revenue rate.
A public hearing about the budget and tax rate is scheduled Thursday, Sept. 7 and is slated to be approved at the Monday, Sept. 11 regularly scheduled commissioners court meeting.
The county will also be moving forward with forming a joint dispatch center that will aid in dispatching emergency services for the city of Dublin, Erath County Sheriff’s Office, city of Stephenville and Tarleton State University Police department. Most like DPS will also be joining.
“This is something that has been in the works for years and years,” Huckabee said. “We have the legal agreement in front of us to begin work on forming the joint dispatch center.”
Each entity will be responsible for paying a portion each year for dispatching services.
In other business the court approved:
■ a 6-month extension for Recreational Ranch
■ the preliminary plan for 100X Cabins II Phase Two
■ entering into a professional service agreement with TROTT Communications Group (for communication radio work)
■ going out for a bid on Mountain Lakes entrance project
■ purchasing a haul trailer through the Buy Board
■ a two-year agreement for Precinct 2 to purchase road base from Crystal Whitefield Trust
■ purchasing furniture from Caring Hearts for Children at a cost of $ 3,000
■ an EMS Interlocal Agreement with the city of Dublin and Erath County
■ a general maintenance interlocal agreement between the county and the city of Dublin