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31 <br /> 1 Gary Donaldson said the tax rate increase includes both the principal and interest rate. <br /> 2 He said the prior ballot would have only showed the $300,000,000. He said that only the principal <br /> 3 was shown then. <br /> 4 Commissioner Richards said this will create a complication in communication. <br /> 5 Gary Donaldson said it complicates it, but the bond education committee will be able to <br /> 6 break it down and explain that. He said there will be additional points to be included during the <br /> 7 bond education phase. <br /> 8 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the ballot title could be changed to "School Bonds for <br /> 9 Orange County," since there are two school systems. <br /> 10 Gary Donaldson said that they could take that suggestion to the bond education committee <br /> 11 for consideration. <br /> 12 Vice-Chair Greene suggested "Bonds for Orange County School Districts." <br /> 13 Gary Donaldson said they would take that information to the bond education committee. <br /> 14 Commissioner Fowler asked if the sample ballot reflects the ballot from 2016. <br /> 15 Gary Donaldson said it does. He said the Local Government Commission has approved <br /> 16 the sample ballot, so any changes will go back to them for review. <br /> 17 Chair Bedford said the date may need to be updated to June 18, 2024. She said the <br /> 18 language in the sample ballot is at a high reading level. <br /> 19 Commissioner Fowler said there is no question mark in the ballot to indicate that it is a <br /> 20 question to the voter. <br /> 21 Gary Donaldson said they would work on the language to the extent that it does not <br /> 22 compromise the meaning. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Chair Bedford, to approve <br /> 25 a resolution stating an intent to proceed with a referendum for up to $300 million in general <br /> 26 obligation school bonds. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 29 <br /> 30 b. Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits <br /> 31 The Board approved the Manager's recommendations regarding employee health and dental <br /> 32 insurance effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 BACKGROUND: The County provides employees with a comprehensive benefits plan that <br /> 35 includes participation in robust health and dental insurance plans for employees and their families. <br /> 36 Each year, the Board of Commissioners is asked to review and approve health and dental <br /> 37 insurance rates in advance of the annual budget so that open enrollment can be completed prior <br /> 38 to the beginning of the plan year which starts on July 1. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Health Insurance <br /> 41 Since the Board of County Commissioners approved Orange County's participation in the North <br /> 42 Carolina Health Insurance Pool in FY 2018-19, the County maintained the same monthly premium <br /> 43 equivalent rates for health insurance and dental coverage for employees and pre-65 retirees <br /> 44 based on stable claims experience until FY 2022-23. In both FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24, the <br /> 45 Board approved an increase of 5% to the Health Insurance Premium Equivalents for both active <br /> 46 and pre-65 retirees as the Health Insurance plan experienced an increase in the overall number <br /> 47 of claims and higher costs per claim compared to prior years. The higher cost of claims also <br /> 48 resulted in a drawing down of reserves kept within the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool. The <br /> 49 increased cost was paid entirely by the County and not passed on to employees through <br /> 50 increased employee contributions. <br /> 51 <br />