Commissioners approve county coverage option for prosecutor and chief deputy pending appointment

Commissioners recorded a minute entry authorizing county-provided insurance coverage for the prosecutor and the prosecutor’s chief deputy, with conditions tied to election or appointment.

Speaker 6 explained that the prosecutor and the chief deputy are considered state employees and currently receive state insurance, but Central States had previously offered county coverage. The county auditor requested a formal minute entry to authorize that coverage if it is elected or appointed; Speaker 6 said the Teamsters have agreed that coverage could be provided when the triggering event occurs. "It would not go into effect, at the earliest, until January when Mike appoints his chief deputy," Speaker 6 said. The motion to approve coverage for the two positions was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: a minute entry authorizing county coverage clarifies the county’s administrative position should the prosecutor or chief deputy elect county insurance; because the positions are state employees, the coverage is conditional on election or appointment before county insurance would apply.

Details and limitations: Speaker 6 emphasized the coverage depends on an election or appointment; the transcript does not record a formal ordinance or contract amendment, nor a roll-call vote. The motion passed by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

Next steps: The recorded authorization will be part of the minutes; any actual change to benefits would occur only after the triggering appointment or election and following administrative steps.

Quoted material in this article is drawn directly from the meeting transcript and attributed to the transcript labels.