County Board approves $75K for Port Road asphalt repairs amid insurance discussions

The Keith County Board of Commissioners convened on April 23, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including road maintenance and health insurance renewal discussions.

The meeting began with a focus on road maintenance, specifically the Port Road. Commissioner Urban highlighted the increasing traffic on this low-volume road, expressing concerns about its rapid deterioration. He proposed moving forward with an asphalt overlay project, which would cost $74,782. The board unanimously approved this motion, noting that the necessary funds were already allocated in the budget for asphalt repairs.

Following the road maintenance discussion, the board turned to unfinished business, which included the Regier Carmen letter of engagement. The commissioners acknowledged that they had not yet received this document due to delays in preparation.

The health insurance renewal was another significant topic on the agenda. Spencer presented the current status of the county's health insurance, prompting discussions about the costs associated with the transplant portion of the plan. Commissioners expressed a desire for further clarification on this aspect and discussed potential options for cost savings, including the possibility of requiring partial payments from spouses covered under the county's insurance plan.

The conversation also touched on broader trends in county health insurance, with commissioners sharing insights from recent meetings about how other counties are managing rising costs. Suggestions included exploring alternative payment structures for employees who opt out of the county's insurance or who have spouses covered under different plans.

As the meeting concluded, the board emphasized the importance of finding effective solutions to manage health insurance costs while ensuring that employees receive adequate coverage. The commissioners agreed to continue exploring options and to revisit the health insurance topic in future meetings.