Agenda - 10-21-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I 1 Clerk to the Board to forward the approved resolution, the completed NCACC Legislative Goals 2 Proposal Forms, and any other related materials to NCACC by the September 19, 2014 3 deadline. 4 5 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6 7 8 b. Employee Benefits and Recommendations Effective January 1, 2015 (8:45 -9:20) 9 The Board considered the County Manager's recommendations for employee health 10 insurance and other benefits effective January 1, 2015. 11 Brenda Bartholomew said these benefit recommendations were presented at the 12 September 11 th work session. 13 She said option 1 was for a 13 percent renewal rate increase to the County, beginning 14 January 1, 2015, for 6 months with no costs being shifted to employees. She said the second 15 option was for a 9 percent increase, to include benefit changes to the co -pay and pharmacy 16 amounts. She said the County Manager is recommending option 1. 17 Bonnie Hammersley repeated the recommendation and said this will put the health 18 insurance back into the budget process, as it will now coincide with the fiscal year. 19 Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on the timing. He asked if the idea is to 20 bring together the calendars for the insurance and the County budget and that is the reason for 21 the 6 month window. 22 Bonnie Hammersley said yes. 23 Commissioner Dorosin asked if during the budget process the next installment will go 24 from July 1 to June 30th 25 Bonnie Hammersley said that is correct, and the insurance plan will now always reflect 26 the fiscal year. 27 Commissioner Gordon asked about health retiree benefits. 28 Diane Shepherd said the benefits for pre -65 retirees are the same as active employees. 29 She said after a retiree reaches age 65, they go on to Medicare, and the County provides a 30 supplement in part D. She said this is budgeted separately from active employees, and it is a 31 different document during budget process. She said retirees will have the same plan year as 32 the employees. 33 Commissioner Rich said the County is picking up the difference to the employee during 34 the 6 month period. She asked what happens after this. 35 Mark Browder said next spring staff will come back with renewal projections and costs 36 for the fiscal year 15 -16. 37 Commissioner Rich asked if staff is anticipating that it will not go up. 38 Mark Browder said he would not commit to that, but he feels good that costs will not go 39 up that much. 40 Commissioner Rich asked if there will be discussion during budget season about how 41 employees will absorb the additional cost, or if the County will continue to pay that. 42 Bonnie Hammersley said staff will evaluate this information during the six month period, 43 and she will make a recommendation during the budget process to address this concern. 44 45 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Price to 46 approve Health Insurance Option 1, which requires a 13% renewal rate increase to the County 47 beginning January 1, 2015. 48 49 Commissioner Dorosin suggested that this process and the reason for the 6 month 50 renewal need to be explained to employees during open enrollment in October.