Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 24, 2020 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-b <br /> SUBJECT: Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits <br /> DEPARTMENT: Human Resources <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources <br /> Director, (919) 245-2552 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve the Manager's recommendations regarding employee health and <br /> dental insurance and other employee benefits effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, with <br /> no increase in appropriations for the FY2020/2021 Health Budget and an increase of funding for <br /> the Dental Budget of $92,236. Further, the Manager is recommending that the County continues <br /> to participate as a member of the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP). <br /> BACKGROUND: The County provides employees with a comprehensive benefits plan, <br /> including health, dental and life insurance, an employee assistance program, flexible <br /> compensation plan and paid leave for permanent employees. Additionally, the County <br /> contributes to the Local Governmental Employee's Retirement System and a supplemental <br /> retirement plan. <br /> In FY2018/2019, the Board of County Commissions approved the County's participation in the <br /> North Carolina Health Insurance Pool and approved increasing Health Insurance funding <br /> (County share) $750,000 and the Dental Insurance funding (County share) $125,521. The <br /> County maintained current premium equivalent rates for health insurance and dental coverage <br /> for employees and pre-65 retirees. The total FY2018/2019 was projected to be approximately <br /> $13.3 million (including health savings account contributions) based on increases to current <br /> enrollment of 1,068 employees and pre-65 retirees. The County contribution was projected at <br /> $11.9 million; representing a 5.9 percent increase to the FY2018/2019 budget. <br /> In FY2019/2020, the Board of County Commissions approved the County's continued <br /> participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool with no increase to the Health <br /> Insurance (70 Fund). The County maintained current premium equivalent rates for health <br />