[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6462575,"mediaKeyId","5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8","parentId",5806225,"title","Votes at a glance: Fulton County Council, Sept. 16, 2025","audioSeconds",1720,"startMs",4053000,"endMs",5773000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8&start=4053&end=5773","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8/thumbnail_4053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462575/Fulton-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Fulton-County-Council-Sept-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462575-2c702e70a3ebf93575d9e14cf39dc32b/orig.mp4?Expires=1769677449&Signature=AfQ0ZEc5MvZuG18G9~PXVfXXDIofYgVb0dKK9l32RmDKa0WVMT3fuJtj9Ftn0bV6Y~gX3YSiyl~uxmakEWIhDxbb4hSCu6DQvA9ON8Wr7w-3uSWXAUsUkqkVcawFYukaFY7YC3qrGoNc6WCr3DuSDnkJ3VPz2hF4hwoOEOHo5TSQNMffLS3XrWLFWyfjbgulo~f9Mpl~eMqhQYSXQ6CtPZmRLNZvaGQ0zCiwLhlQ5rhTIUCgY70ogR4clpuUWZyrz3yjv82o9WGWQPuKaqrq4x7Z8PAr4mFf0gErt~6aIg3NiJOVeHdmD4xvmmpxady0FgKhOdsG290ABOam6AIHKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fulton County, IN","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Fulton County Council conducted several routine and substantive votes during its Sept. 16 meeting. This roundup lists key motions, the outcome and brief context. All votes below are drawn from the official meeting record.

1) Approve NQTL analysis contract (health plan parity)
- Motion: Approve a third‑party NQTL analysis of the county group health plan (vendor fee $5,000; $2,500 annual monitoring optional).
- Mover/second: Pete / Chase
- Outcome: Approved, 6–0
- Note: Staff will contract vendor; report to insurance committee and council.

2) Authorize payment method for parity audit
- Motion: Pay vendor from health‑and‑benefits funds and transfer to contracts as needed.
- Mover/second: Chase / Randy
- Outcome: Approved, 6–0

3) Adopt HSA policy for employees who waive Medicare
- Motion: Employees who opt out of Medicare and sign an auditor‑filed affidavit may continue to receive county HSA contributions going forward.
- Mover/second: Pete / Patty
- Outcome: Approved, 6–0
- Note: Staff to create affidavit and process; effect begins immediately for future waivers.

4) Table decision on retroactive HSA payments
- Motion: Table action on retroactive HSA payments until staff researches affected employees and cost/tax implications.
- Mover/second: Patty / Chase
- Outcome: Tabled, 6–0

5) Approve assessor staffing change
- Motion: Convert a part‑time assessor position to full time (included in 2026 budget).
- Mover/second: Steve / Randy
- Outcome: Approved, 6–0

6) Close public hearings (solid waste, airport authority, county budget)
- Motions: Close public hearings on the solid waste budget, airport authority budget and county maximum levy.
- Outcome: Each closed by council voice vote, 6–0

7) Transfer and appropriation motions
- Treasurer transfer: transfer $800 from printing to continuing education to pay for attendance at AIC convention — Approved, 6–0.
- Sheriff additional appropriation: $23,616 to pay part of a laser‑shot invoice (remaining funded from commissary) — Approved, 6–0.
- Drainage board payment: $23,184 for RQAW engineering fees for Mud Lake stream restoration — Approved as final payment, 6–0.

8) Minutes and budget approvals
- Motion: Approve regular meeting minutes and the August 19 fiscal report — Approved, 6–0.

9) Job classification / supplemental pay discussion
- Motion to approve quality‑assurance stipend (split details unclear) failed for lack of motion; council did not adopt changes to the salary ordinance at this meeting and left the matter for further action.

Procedural notes: Where a recorded mover/second appears in the meeting transcript that identification is reflected above; when the transcript indicated only roll calls or voice votes, outcomes are recorded as reported. Several items (notably the retroactive HSA question and supplemental pay distribution) were left for additional staff work or future ordinance language and therefore require follow‑up.

For documentation and verification, the transcript segments tied to these votes are listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Meeting - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and council votes taken at the Sept. 16 Fulton County Council meeting, including vendor contracts, budget hearings, appropriations and personnel actions.","taxTitle","Fulton County, Indiana","taxId",64146,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6462580,"Fulton County council adopts HSA policy for employees who waive Medicare; retroactive payments tabled",1881,718000,2599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8&start=718&end=2599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8/thumbnail_718000.jpg","/articles/6462580/Fulton-County/Indiana/Fulton-County-council-adopts-HSA-policy-for-employees-who-waive-Medicare-retroactive-payments-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462580-60125f93d14c4e3d48833f9bfe4246a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769677449&Signature=Gtpu9cRsmhabO9pB4cxedMYzufwKtFQQB9GXrp5Kzs9Gx-LIHEbt7ptfjhG16lOwDpnfHW-zUsOhyyBl0WeQ92qx3PYIYMfzraPMS~wIaf61eg3V4X7e~EAcZYYbilhawzblDH93sbOMMg2tO1xe2hGy8dgqxyj1YvBIPR28b4rmjb5CuJY8ahSRMHj~f7kndwp5A6uu4~mRzYTJd32NMIuZp5-mXs24FDbi-VMrQPoCqFaL-JawzVEwJV72ACfTa-0Tk6jgpIFMbqWuayUno0OzqGLnOHqSa~FCGPj1uwr~NCxuDJ2b0S8Z4NTfPP2aTKnmYh0F-D3mHEpOx-WouQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fulton County Council voted Sept. 16 to allow employees who decline Medicare entitlement to continue receiving county Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions so long as they sign a written affidavit waiving Medicare and remain covered by the county group health plan.

Council members approved the change on a 6–0 vote and directed staff to require a signed waiver filed with the auditor’s office as the condition for continuing HSA contributions for employees who opt out of Medicare moving forward.

The decision followed extended public comment from current and former county employees who said they were told in the past they had to enroll in Medicare at age 65 and that, as a result, they lost county HSA contributions. Several employees urged the council to provide retroactive payments for those who were given incorrect advice.

County staff and counsel told the council that federal rules prevent an employer from providing a tax‑favored HSA contribution to someone who is enrolled in Medicare. Staff said the county cannot retroactively ‘‘undo’’ someone’s Medicare enrollment to make a contribution tax‑free. If the council chooses to make affected employees whole, staff said such payments would be taxable to employees and could create additional payroll‑tax and ERISA considerations.

Presenter Darren Longenecker and county staff recommended two actions: (1) adopt a forward‑looking policy that employees who affirmatively waive Medicare and file an affidavit at the auditor’s office may continue to receive the county HSA contribution; (2) research how many employees might be eligible for retroactive payments and return to council with cost estimates and recommended processes.

Council passed the forward policy 6–0 (mover Pete; second Patty). On the question of retroactive payments, council members voted to table that issue pending staff research on how many employees were affected and what the cost and tax consequences would be (motion to table carried 6–0; mover Patty; second Chase).

Clarifying points mentioned during the discussion:
- Staff said Medicare Part A automatic enrollment (for those receiving Social Security) may complicate undoing entitlement and that the practical ability to reverse Medicare enrollment is limited.
- Staff said the county’s prescription coverage is currently deemed credible for Medicare Part D, and that employees who waive Medicare while covered by the group plan should be able to avoid Part D penalties when they later enroll.
- The presenter cited the 2025 individual HSA annual contribution cap ($4,350) as a limit to how much could be credited in a single year; staff warned that lumping retroactive amounts into a single year could create tax or maximum‑contribution problems.

Council instructed staff to compile a list of potentially affected employees and return with recommendations, cost estimates and legal/tax analysis. Council also directed that going forward employees who waive Medicare must sign an affidavit in the auditor’s office to document the election.","Council voted 6–0 to allow employees who formally opt out of Medicare to continue receiving county HSA contributions provided they sign a waiver in the auditor’s office; council tabled decisions about retroactive payments pending further review.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6462585,"Fulton County approves $5,000 parity audit of employee health plan",655,59000,714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8&start=59&end=714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806225-31e07bc424fd63468cbfd20db79a67a8/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6462585/Fulton-County/Indiana/Fulton-County-approves-5000-parity-audit-of-employee-health-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462585-0fafc91059917fcfa0c7b200281f2087/orig.mp4?Expires=1769677449&Signature=az~bfy0uQg92GeDxYYyaSC0DyOfDDmBRNHy0v2bW2yJ5adWwaqa~nNJvzGmIsRdOVySvAzdF0~X-u5ogRgXM478SBRy11r8dgh~4fl0XT7NzbyLyyYrX7AKjQ-bp9lmrau~KGuqInAWfHkYTDLSEs0MJIFYVmDVN6VqXaI2yuVyHDcI11yvV22bclkSEDtiked2g9PxJiwElysyVXQTf1xjMYcEU07P8CyxsGQcz9aDJvmqc9tcncrjwVhPa~IgfhWB-ZtKF4Oo5m0glP64ctQvhZzooGv3v0avTlQUucnsQsR7WsdrCj~jiyj1hTJN9s8IDs9sdt9Kx5xmZ3edAxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fulton County Council voted Sept. 16 to pay a vendor $5,000 to perform a non‑quantitative treatment limit (NQTL) analysis of the county’s self‑funded group health plan and to authorize a possible $2,500 annual follow-up review.

The vendor will review the summary plan document and other plan materials to identify language or administrative practices that could create unequal treatment for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. The consultant will report findings to the county insurance committee and then to the council for any needed changes.

County staff presented the review as required by federal enforcement guidance tied to the Mental Health Parity requirements and subsequent rules reinforced by the Consolidated Appropriations Act. County staff warned that the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may request an NQTL analysis; the county could face an excise tax penalty of $100 per day per employee if it cannot produce a requested analysis.

Darren Longenecker, who presented the item to the council, said the analysis is detailed and recommended hiring a disinterested third party rather than trying to complete it internally. \"When we did our audit for you, we saw that this needed to be addressed,\" Longenecker said, noting other counties have found problematic limits in areas such as gender‑affirming care and prior authorization requirements.

Longenecker told the council the analysis typically takes about nine months; the county’s staff also reported that most vendors quoted about $10,000 for a one‑time NQTL analysis but the county located a vendor willing to perform the initial review for $5,000 plus a $2,500 annual monitoring fee.

Council members approved two related motions: first, to authorize the NQTL study; second, to pay the vendor using money currently budgeted in the county’s health‑and‑benefits accounts and to transfer funds from that account to contracts as needed. Both votes were 6–0.

The presenter said the county will take the vendor’s report to the insurance committee and then to the full council for any recommended plan changes. He also noted the county is already past a self‑stated deadline (Dec. 31, 2024) for completing such an analysis and said the vendor’s timeline means the county may not see completed results until the following spring.

Council action and budget transfers for the vendor payment were approved during the meeting; staff said they will return with the vendor’s report and any recommended plan changes.

The vote record, supporting documents and the eventual vendor report will be placed on the county record when available.","County council approved a $5,000 third-party NQTL analysis of the county’s self-funded group health plan and a plan to pay the vendor from the health-and-benefits fund; annual monitoring fee of $2,500 was also authorized as a potential ongoing cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Fulton County Council, Sept. 16, 2025

Fulton County council adopts HSA policy for employees who waive Medicare; retroactive payments tabled

Fulton County approves $5,000 parity audit of employee health plan