Spencer County moves to boost county contribution for non-single health plans to $1,200 per month

Spencer County Fiscal Court approved a temporary increase in the county’s monthly contribution for employee health plans other than single coverage, raising the county share from $800 to $1,200 per month for those plans under a motion approved Nov. 6.

Emergency Management Director Chris Limpp, who presented cost comparisons to the court, said the proposed $1,200 contribution would reduce out-of-pocket costs for affected employees substantially. "That would give that employee paying $133.99 per paycheck, which is opposed to, right now that employee is paying a lot more," Limpp said, contrasting the higher present cost with the proposed contribution.

The insurance committee described the change as an interim step while staff continue to evaluate longer-term options for benefits. Magistrate Corey Thomas said he wanted more research into equity between classes of employees but the court approved the motion with the proviso that the county attorney review the change for legality; the motion included an effective date of Dec. 1 if the county attorney found it permissible.

Court documents show four county employees currently carry family or employee/child plans; the committee estimated that raising the county contribution to $1,200 would reduce those employees’ biweekly premiums substantially compared with current out-of-pocket costs.

The motion was made by Magistrate Travis and seconded by Magistrate Pharris and passed with all members present voting "aye," Magistrate Stump recorded absent. Judge Scott Travis described the decision as "a baby step" toward broader improvements in coverage and said the administration would continue to study options ahead of the next open enrollment period.

Provenance: Insurance discussion, cost figures and the motion appear in the meeting packet and were discussed in detail in the Nov. 6 meeting.