The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

County tables discussion on Health Department insurance

By Sally Day for the Quill

Henderson County State's Attorney, Scott McClintock told board members during the October 8, 2013 meeting that the county is not responsible to pay the Health Department's employees' health insurance.

"The county has no control over the Health Department," Marty Lafary, County Board Chairman stated. The County Board appoints people to their board, at the Health Department's suggestion. The County Board said the Health Department has $400,000 in reserve. "That is better than ours," said board member Dave Hinshaw. The cost of the insurance is approximately $120,000. Hinshaw thought the County Board could pay a portion of the insurance.

Chairman Lafary thought Henderson County Health Department Administrator Lynn Haas should be in attendance before any decisions are made.

Haas had asked to make a clarification after last month's meeting. She noted that many years ago, the then Administrator Mary Reed had told the board the Health Department would take over paying for the insurance, as the Health Department was more financially solvent at the time. The County Board gratefully accepted her offer.

The board agreed to table the discussion until they have a clearer view of next year's budget.

In other business, the board:

• heard from Alan Ferguson, Henderson County Highway Superintendent, who noted that the Blandinsville Road Project should be completed in a week to ten days. He was asked why the concrete was used to replace the asphalt. Superintendent Ferguson said asphalt and concrete are very similarly priced currently and that the concrete would outlast the asphalt by quite a bit.
• learned that a meeting will take place on Friday, at the courthouse pertaining to grant monies for Henderson County Drainage Districts.
• appointed Larry Russell to Henderson County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy of Robert Schulze.
• tabled the issue of gutter bids for the Sheriff's Department, as there were none.
• heard from board member Mark Lumbeck that there had been a meeting of the Jail Committee on October 1, to discuss the Sheriff Department Union. Another Jail Committee meeting will be held on October 21, at 6:30 p.m.
• approved the minutes of the September 10 and September 17 meetings.
• accepted the claims paid in September 2013.
• approved Health Department claims.
• passed a motion to accept an agreement for Automation Technology Support.
• learned there were no Highway Resolutions nor Zoning Resolutions/Variances.
• held roll call with the following results: Terry Meyer, Bob Peterson, Jim Alexander, Gail Russell, Mark Lumbeck, Albert Renken, Dave Hinshaw, Marty Lafary, Curt Eisenmayer, and Stan Torrance, all present.

Tex Stewart was absent.