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Saratoga County reports lower workerscomp caseload; $2.34M remains in state buyout funds
Summary
County staff reported a slight decline in new workers' compensation claims, a yeartodate budget spend of 22%, and about $2.34 million remaining from a 2021 New York state buyout program tied to 15 open claims.
Mr. Chamberlain, a county staff member presenting the workers' compensation report, told the Saratoga County Community Resource and Insurance Committee that the county had 24 new claims for March and 65 open claims, a slight change from last year.
"We are doing well with our 24 7 call usage. We've only had 2 cases where individuals did not call in," Mr. Chamberlain said.
The county has used a New York state buyout fund received in 2021 in the amount of $4,200,000 for 31 claims, Mr. Chamberlain said. Fourteen of those claims have been settled, two were closed because claimants are deceased, and the buyout has produced approximately $6,674,000 in savings to the county. He said a balance of approximately $2,340,000 remains, with 15 claims still open.
Committee members noted the yeartodate budget was 22% expended, up from 18% at the same time last year. Mr. Chamberlain provided the annual comparison point that the county had 154 open claims at the same time the prior year.
No formal action on workers' compensation items was taken at the meeting; the report was received and discussed. Committee members asked clarifying questions about current practices and the buyout funds; Mr. Chamberlain answered but did not provide a complete inventory of open claims by department.
The committee will continue to monitor open claims and the remaining buyout fund balance as staff works to settle outstanding cases.
