Orange County NC Website
<br />• Open Enrollment Period 10119 - 1112/07 <br />Changes to Payroll 12/1/07 <br />New Plan Effective Date 1/1/08 <br />Commissioner Nelson said that the language for coverage says spouses and he asked if <br />this covers domestic partners, and Michael McGinnis said yes. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to retirees and asked if they would be included in <br />employees and Michael McGinnis said yes. Commissioner Jacobs said that the cost of <br />providing health insurance to retirees is supposed to be tracked. He suggested separating it out <br />as a category. He suggested having this as a report next year and then coming back with a <br />decision item. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he read that larger corporations are hiring health <br />professionals instead of having same health insurance, and that this is something to consider. <br />Michael McGinnis said that is very popular in the private sector and in some public entities. <br />Durham County currently has a small clinic. <br />Chair Carey said that he raised this and asked the staff to come back with a report <br />before the previous Manager left, but did not get the report back. He said that this has been <br />proven to work. He said that he hoped Michael McGinnis would work with the Health <br />Department on this. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that Kingsdown in Mebane has a wellness plan and a nurse <br />on site. He would like the motion to include the Manager to look into expanding its wellness <br />program. <br />Michael McGinnis said that staff is having these conversations now, and Laura <br />Blackmon called this evening about this type of situation in Pittsburgh where she is attending a <br />conference. <br />Chair Carey asked about the switch to Met Life and if there are any conditions. Michael <br />McGinnis said that generally in a contract with a vendor, the minimum time is one year with an <br />annual review. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked why Option II was recommended. She said that there is <br />not much difference in not changing the plan and Option II. Michael McGinnis said that anytime <br />you make a change in a co-pay, that is a service charge. A premium is something that just <br />occurs. A change in a co-pay affects the user's decision-making process as they use it. He <br />said that 40°~ of claims are in pharmacy and a lot of generics are being used. This option will <br />be a small change, and then there will be a full-blown evaluation of the benefits plan. He said <br />that he heard very strongly from the consortium, department directors, and management team <br />that clearly Option II was the choice. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to <br />approve the 2008 Employee Health, Dental and Life Benefits recommendation, with the <br />additional stipulation that the Manager will investigate a wellness program far the County staff. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />f. Zoning Ordinance Text and Map Amendments -Proposed Efland-Cheeks <br />Highway 70 Corridor Zoning Overlay District and Amendment to Section 6.23.3 of the <br />Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Impervious Surface Ratio Regulations <br />