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15 <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the traditional wage increase was stalled until July 1, <br /> 2020. <br /> Brenda Bartholomew said no, the wage increase was stalled until July 1, 2021. <br /> Commissioner McKee said austerity measures have been put in place due to COVID, <br /> and there are unknowns still ahead. He asked Bonnie Hammersley if this bonus will adversely <br /> affect the overall budget. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said staff has been monitoring all elements of the budget, and the <br /> Health Insurance Reserve is growing because claims are down. She said claims are likely <br /> down due to COVID, as people are not going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary. She <br /> said the Health Insurance Reserve fund will fund this one-time payment, and this reserve is <br /> partially County funded and partially employee funded. She said the reserve is still in place to <br /> handle a catastrophic event, and this one time pay-out will not impact that. <br /> Commissioner Price said she is very pleased with this recommendation. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he will reluctantly support this recommendation, but noted <br /> there are many people across Orange County who did not receive a wage increase, or may <br /> have even lost a job. He said he has no doubt about the hard work of County employees. <br /> Commissioner Bedford expressed gratitude for all County employees during these <br /> stressful times. She agreed there are many families that are suffering. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Price to: <br /> • Authorize a one-time Pandemic Response Payment of$100 per month to permanent <br /> County employees who have been on the payroll between March 1, 2020 and <br /> November 1, 2020, prorated for permanent part time employees, and <br /> • Approve Budget Amendment#3-A transferring funds from the County's Health <br /> Insurance Reserve to a Pandemic Response Payment account to be distributed to <br /> departments' personnel line items according to the amount of payment required in each <br /> department. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she would like to exclude herself from the $900 one-time <br /> payment, and contribute it to the Department of Social Services (DSS) needs. <br /> Chair Rich said this can be done through the Giving Fund. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he would also like to forego the payment. <br /> Chair Rich said every single employee has worked overtime since the pandemic started, <br /> and it was especially intense in the beginning. <br /> Chair Rich called each Commissioner by name (roll call). <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> e. Initiating the Process to Disengage from Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and to <br /> Seek Realignment with Alliance Health <br /> The Board considered voting to authorize the County Manager to initiate the formal <br /> disengagement process from the County's current Local Management Entity-Managed Care <br /> Organization, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, and seek realignment with Alliance Health to <br /> administer mental and behavioral health services for Orange County residents. <br /> Travis Myren reviewed the item below: <br />