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Benton County Commission approves insurance switch, school loan and a slate of budget transfers
Summary
At its May 17 meeting the commission approved replacing Cigna with Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee, budget transfers across multiple funds, a $2 million school loan for capital outlay, and other appropriations; votes were recorded on each resolution.
The Benton County Commission on May 17 approved a series of budget resolutions and administrative items affecting employee benefits, school capital, airport funding and other county accounts.
Top actions at a glance: the commission voted to replace the county’s employee insurance program with Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee effective July 1, 2021, maintaining a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) of up to $2,000 per participating employee (Resolution 20210517-01). The resolution passed by roll call with 14 yes and 1 abstention. Commissioners also approved transfers and appropriations across multiple funds to cover insurance costs, debt-service accounting, sheriff’s revenues, library allotments, CDBG reimbursement, coroner/medical examiner expenses and tire disposal expenses.
The commission approved a $2,000,000 loan for school capital outlay (Resolution 20210517-08) and budgeted $128,000 of ESSER 2.0 funds for school building improvements and HVAC equipment (Resolution 20210517-07). County officials said these actions are intended to fund needed school projects and reconcile loan proceeds in the schools budget.
Several other measures passed, including a $50,000 transfer into the Airport Capital Projects Fund to increase the fund balance for reimbursable grants (Resolution 20210517-06) and an appropriation of $16,676.15 to pay Barrett Group invoices tied to revenue-enhancement findings on Hotel/Motel and Bank Franchise/Excise taxes (Resolution 20210517-15). A motion to appoint May 2021 notaries also passed.
The commission tabled an IT policy submitted by the IT director; the motion to accept the policy was withdrawn and the item was deferred to the June meeting. No formal votes were taken on the TEC broadband funding request heard earlier in the meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected): - 20210517-01: Renewal of employee health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee; outcome: approved (14 yes, 1 abstain). - 20210517-02: Transfer $2,452 within Fund 151 Debt Service; outcome: approved (15-0). - 20210517-03: Transfer $20,535.92 into Employee Benefits/Medical Insurance; outcome: approved (13 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain). - 20210517-06: Transfer $50,000 from Fund 178 to Fund 189 (Airport); outcome: approved (15-0). - 20210517-07: Budget $128,000 ESSER 2.0 funds for school building improvements; outcome: approved (15-0). - 20210517-08: Budget $2,000,000 loan for school capital outlay; outcome: approved (15-0). - 20210517-09: Budget sheriff revenues (amended line items); outcome: approved. - 20210517-10 through 20210517-16: Additional budget appropriations and confirmations (library allotment, CDBG reimbursement, coroner expenses, tire disposal, trustee commission, Barrett Group invoices, and annual school federal projects fund resolution); outcomes: approved.
What’s next: Several items, including TEC’s funding request and the IT policy, were referred for further staff and committee follow-up. The commission adjourned after completing the agenda.
