The Lapeer City Downtown Development Authority voted to give its executive committee authority to negotiate and secure health insurance coverage for a staff member to prevent a lapse at year-end.

Staff explained the employee’s current Blue Cross Blue Shield gold plan has a premium of about $780 per month, with the DDA contributing roughly $740. Staff said the same plan is projected to rise to about $900 a month and described exploring higher-deductible plan options to lower monthly premiums while the DDA would cover the deductible difference.

"I have the Blue Cross Blue Shield's gold plan, which is 780 a month. The DDA contributes 740 a month," staff said, adding the plan is projected to rise and that alternative designs could reduce monthly premiums. Staff urged the board to authorize the executive committee to act because enrollment changes must be submitted by the end of the year to maintain coverage.

Board member (Unidentified Speaker 5) moved to "give the executive board authority to negotiate or to to explore a new policy," and the chair clarified that the authority was intended "to take action in regards to the insurance coverage for Jim by to to ensure it does not lapse". The motion was moved, supported and carried by voice vote.

The authorization is administrative: the board directed the executive committee to secure coverage continuity and review quotes and plan options; no new dollar amount or permanent benefit change was adopted during the meeting. Any contract, premium commitments, or long-term benefit changes will require later reporting back to the full board.

Next steps: staff and the executive committee will gather quotes and report recommendations to the board at a subsequent meeting or via the committee if immediate action is required before the January board meeting.