Poestenkill board debates HRA transition amid concerns over new card fees

Members of the Poestenkill Town Board spent an extended portion of their meeting discussing an HRA transition agreement that would move administration of the town's health-reimbursement arrangement from the current structure toward a Brown & Brown-affiliated administrator.

Supervisor Michelle Garfola told the board they had just uncovered invoices showing new card-related charges and described an abrupt operational shift: "the invoice that came in with they were charging actual card fees now to us," she said, noting the charges appeared on a recent bill. Garfola and others said some employee debit cards were not working during the switch and urged caution before approving changes that could disrupt reimbursements.

Council members and staff outlined three options: approve the change temporarily and seek a new vendor later; decline the change and require the provider to correct billing practices; or pause action and dig into contract and rate details. One member asked whether the transition could be tabled so staff could verify whether the fees were legitimate; another cautioned that delaying could leave employees unable to use cards but that receipts could still be submitted for reimbursement.

Board members asked staff to gather documentation, contact the provider(s) to confirm when new fees began and whether proposed branded cards would function as billed, and consult the town attorney about contractual and employee-protection implications. No final, definitive action on the long-term HRA administration was recorded in the meeting transcript; the board directed staff to return with clarifications and next steps.

What happens next: The board asked staff to gather invoices and contract language, consult counsel, and report back to the town board before making a long-term administrative decision.