Committee approves July financials, OSHA report; appoints county employee member

The Rutherford County Benefits and Insurance Committee on Aug. 28 approved several routine items including July financial statements, an OSHA incident report, wellness program results and an employee‑membership appointment.

Molly Howell presented the July financials for the county's self‑insurance fund known in the meeting as the "$2.64 fund," reporting month‑of‑July revenue of $1,781,286 against expenses of $2,707,701, leaving a monthly deficit of $926,415. Year‑to‑date calendar figures presented were $14,000,216 in revenue and $16,761,218 in expenses, producing a year‑to‑date deficit the presenter stated as approximately $2,545,153. For a separate fund (referred to in the presentation as the "2 66 fund"), workers'comp and OJI numbers were presented as totals of roughly $52,261.11 for the month; the presenter concluded the financial report and the committee approved the financials by roll call.

Susan reported the OSHA incident summary for July: eight incidents total, three at the Board of Education and five at county general, with the county general incidents distributed between Fire and Rescue (two), the juvenile detention center (one), the sheriff's office (one) and solid waste (one). Year to date the committee was told there were 105 incidents: 74 recordable, 17 lost‑day claims, 45 restricted‑duty claims and 12 other recordables. July reserves were reported as $268,625 and year‑to‑date reserves $666,714; the county had paid about $160,231 year to date. As of the most recent report five employees were out of work and 10 were on restricted duty. The committee approved the OSHA report by voice vote.

Wellness program metrics were reported: 2,283 wellness points earned and 370 wellness goals achieved through July. The committee heard a staff update, then the chair announced that two mayoral appointments for members at large, Holly Deering and Eric Tupabini, were extended by the mayor and accepted for two‑year terms effective Sept. 1, 2025; no committee vote was needed for those mayoral appointments.

On the county employee membership vacancy, two applicants were nominated: Brian Gaither and Megan Lowe. The committee conducted an initial vote and later realized there was only one open position; the chair then called a roll‑call vote where members were asked to name either "Brian" or "Megan." Members recorded votes for Brian across the roll call, and the chair announced that Brian Gaither was appointed to the county employee seat effective Sept. 1.

The meeting also approved the minutes from the committee's previous meeting and concluded with a reminder that the next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25.