Supervisors approve FY19 health insurance recommendation from County’s Health Insurance Committee and comments to send to IWD, discuss County Social Services vehicle purchase

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 16 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of comments to be submitted regarding the proposed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) service areas, a recommendation from the Health Insurance Committee regarding the Fiscal-Year 2019 health insurance coverage for County employees and discussion of a vehicle purchase from Fayette County for use by Allamakee County.

Without any members of the public in attendance during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer briefly discussed that ballots have been received in compliance with the Uniform Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) mailing deadline of April 21 and that absentee voting will begin May 7 for the June primary election.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of the Health Insurance Committee’s recommendation for Fiscal-Year 2019 health insurance coverage with Group and Individual Health/Benefit Consultant Brian Huinker with Midwest Group Benefits providing an overview of the committee’s decision process. Huinker discussed that Aetna and Health Partners declined to submit a quote with Wellmark and United Healthcare quotes being reviewed by the committee. Huinker indicated that the Health Insurance Committee has recommended continuing with United Healthcare, which the Supervisors approved.

Beyer and the Supervisors also discussed the $50 increase for the Medical Flex maximum contribution to $2,650. That increase matches the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and it was approved by the board.

Representatives of County Social Services (CSS) were in attendance to discuss the purchase of a vehicle from Fayette County for use by the Allamakee County Service Coordinator based in Howard County. Coordinator of Disability Services Todd Rickert and East Quadrant Supervisor Sheri Vierkant discussed the CSS quadrant system and team approach that is in place, with the East Quadrant covering Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.

Vierkant discussed that with changes in managed care and the reorganization involved with the quadrant system, Fayette County has an extra vehicle, a 2009 Dodge Caravan that is being offered to Allamakee County for one dollar. Vierkant explained the vehicle will be based out of Howard County with the CSS employee driving her personal vehicle from home to pick up the Dodge Caravan for work-related travel.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes indicated that Jane Regan of Upper Iowa Insurance Services needs to be consulted about the County’s insurance coverage for a county-owned vehicle being operated outside of the county. The Supervisors agreed to revisit the matter at next week’s meeting, allowing time for clarification from the insurance provider.

The Quarterly Report from the Allamakee County Auditor office was accepted and placed on file. Mobile home tax abatements were reviewed and approved. Manure Management Plan Updates from Kent Schultz, Adam Grove, Kent McCormick Site #1 and #2, E.B. Ag LP and Cyclone #1 were all accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed having long-time and now retired dispatcher Rev Lonning volunteer in the Sheriff’s Department administrative office on an as-needed basis. Mellick indicated that a member of the office staff would be attending a class and Lonning has volunteered to assist at the front desk. The Supervisors discussed the Sheriff’s Department liability coverage relating to volunteers, which would apply in this case. The Supervisors approved Lonning as a volunteer for the Sheriff’s Department.

The Supervisors moved into the discussion of comments relating to the proposed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) service areas. Byrnes indicated that Iowa Workforce Development is reducing the number of service areas within the state from 15, including various proposals of two, four or eight service areas, and that the IWD will be accepting feedback from elected county officials through the April 30 end of the comment period. Byrnes read aloud three prepared comments indicating that the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors supports the eight service area proposal, which would require less travel for program participants and board members; the IWD office in Decorah, which serves rural northeast Iowa and provides important services to program participants, should remain open; and that the Supervisors do not support the two-area realignment plan due to the size of the area would result in less service to rural northeast Iowa and result in less board participation from rural areas. The Supervisors approved to send the comments to IWD.

The Supervisors discussed the Fiscal-Year 2018 budget amendment and set the public hearing date for May 7 at 9:40 a.m.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker indicated that a railroad safety/derailment class is scheduled for May 5 in Harpers Ferry. Snitker discussed that the 20-participant requirement for the class has been met and exceeded for the eight-hour course dealing with various derailment situations involving flammable materials.

Snitker also discussed automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that are placed in County buildings and that standardizing this equipment by having only two different models is advisable. Snitker indicated that he will create a memorandum to provide guidance on the matter.

Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett provided a brief update concerning an upcoming tour of the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing and indicated that the volunteer program at the Driftless Center is in full swing.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed that road embargoes are likely to stay in place until late in the month and that paint quotes for center line painting should be received prior to the next Supervisors meeting. Ridenour also discussed the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) long-range plan for the five-county area containing goals relating to transportation needs and that UERPC is seeking comments and feedback on the plan.

Mellick discussed an upcoming meeting relating to 911 statewide interoperability and the FirstNet system, which allows cellphone and data priority network access for law enforcement and emergency personnel. Mellick discussed the upcoming mock accident to be held at the Waukon High School with a potential schedule change to be discussed due to weather conditions.