The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

County Board and Health Department continue insurance discussion

By Sally Day for the Quill

Lynne Haase, Administrator of the Henderson County Health Department was present for the August 12, 2014 meeting of the Henderson County Board. Also present was Keith Krohe, Owner/Agent of Crossroads Insurance Services, who provides insurance for the County Employees, including the Health Department.

Krohe opened the conversation by stating that he had been blindsided by the Health Department wanting its own insurance plan. Haase said, "You should not have been blindsided, because I told you about this a year ago." The Health Department wants a new plan, due to the cost of insurance. The Health Department has been having financial difficulties and needs to cut their insurance costs.

Board member Mark Lumbeck asked if the Health Department could hold off on choosing their own insurance plan for a couple of months. Haase said, "We are just in the beginning of getting the paper work to the insurance company." She continued by stating they do no want to cut any programs. Their programs are highly needed in the community.

Lumbeck asked Haase, "Would you be agreeable to holding off for awhile?" Haase asked, "Would the County be agreeable to hearing bids from other insurance companies?"

The board discussed convening an insurance meeting. If this were done, they would need to have representatives from each department and the union present. No action was taken.

In other business, the board:

• tabled passing the budget, following an Executive Session, discussing the same.
• passed a motion to have J & J Tree Service remove a tree in the courthouse lawn at a cost of $300.
• accepted a resolution for the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement. This is at no cost to the county.
• thanked John Dowdy posthumously for his work on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Acting Board President Gail Russell asked board members to submit a name from the Oquawka area for replacement on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
• accepted Highway Resultions.
• approved the minutes of the July 8 meeting.
• approved claims in July 2014.
• responded to roll call as follows: Gail Russell, present; Mark Lumbeck, present; Albert Renken, present; David Hinshaw, present; Terry Myer, present; Bob Peteron, present; Jim Alexander, present; Stan Torrance, present; Mary Lafary, absent; and Tex Stewart, absent.