Supervisors hear jail facility update, insurance recommendations from health committee and in regard to Makee Manor

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Tuesday, February 11, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Sheriff Clark Mellick, who reported that the assessment of the County's current jail facility has been completed and that a "needs assessment" regarding the construction of a new facility is nearing completion.
Mellick said that the next step in the process is to form a committee to be tasked with evaluating those assessments, selecting a location for the new facility and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the construction of the facility and possible financing options. In addition to making recommendations to the Board, members of the committee would also be expected to be available to explain the need for the new facility to the public.
Mellick said that, with the Board's approval, he would like to form a broad-based committee by April 1 comprised of 15 to 20 individuals. The Board approved the formation of the committee (see sidebar).

HEALTH INSURANCE
The Board also met with members of the Health Insurance Committee, comprised of County employees, regarding the upcoming renewal of employee health insurance coverage. Speaking on behalf of the committee, County Engineer Brian Ridenour reported that price quotes were sought from four different brokers, only two of which provided quotes - Arne Beneke of Beneke and Associates offered a price quote for the Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan and Jane Regan of Leschensky Insurance provided price quotes from United Health Care and Coventry Health Care.
Ridenour reported that the quote from Gundersen, the County's current provider, was the lowest quote received with a 10.3% increase over current premiums; United Health Care's premiums averaged 15% higher than Gundersen and Coventry Health Care's premiums averaged 19% higher than Gundersen. Accordingly, the committee recommended staying with Gundersen and Arne Beneke as the broker.
Ridenour said that the committee also recommends a $20 increase in the County's current monthly contribution of $576, which previously completely covered the cost of a $1,000-deductible single plan; the $596 contribution recommended by the committee would cover the full cost of a $1,500-deductible single plan. Ridenour also reported that two percent of the 10.3% increase in Gundersen's premium are the result of Affordable Care Act taxes and fees, which the committee does not believe County employees should be responsible for paying. The Board thanked the committee for its work, saying that the recommendation would be considered in conjunction with possible salary increases.

MAKEE MANOR
In another insurance-related matter, the Board met with Jane Regan of Leschensky Insurance, who reviewed the County's insurance policies for property, liability, automobile and worker's compensation. Regan noted that the now closed Makee Manor facility is still insured for the replacement value of $4.1 million, with an annual premium of approximately $3,800. She recommended changing that coverage if it would not be the Board's intention to rebuild the facility in the event that it were destroyed. The Board agreed that the value of the property could be reduced to $100,000 for insurance purposes.
In other business, the Board signed an agreement with Mediacom for telephone and internet services. The Board approved an annual resolution to allow military and homestead tax credits as recommended by the County Assessor and accepted the high bid of $1,207 from Chicago Motors for the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria offered for sale by the Sheriff's Department. The Board also met in closed session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations with the unions representing Secondary Roads and Sheriff's Department employees.