Ellis County Commission approves employee insurance plan

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

After searching for a better plan the Ellis County Commission elected to stay with its current insurance plan for county employees, voting Tuesday to renew the employee health insurance plan through 2020.

Since 2011, Ellis County has been a non-state public employer affiliate of the State Employee Health Plan, according to Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes.

There was a large increase in the cost of insurance for 2017 and, with the county’s current contract set to expire at the end of December a committee made up of county employees was established to look at future options.

The committee recommended hiring a consultant to help in the search and, in April, the commission approved the hiring of IMA Inc. Smith-Hanes said they received two quotes and focused on the quote from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Smith-Hanes said they were optimistic about the Blue Cross Blue Shield proposal because, “it was promising all these costs savings.” But once they broke down the costs and, with the addition of IMA’s fees, the savings would be $25,000.

“Under this plan, our employees who are enrolled in the family coverage option, which is about 40 percent of our employees, would actually be paying a higher rate, monthly premium rate,” Smith-Hanes said.

They would also lose some discounts that the state plan provides.

“In order for the county to save $25,000, employees would actually be paying another $40,000 out of their own pockets,” Smith-Hanes said.

Those factors led the committee to recommend the commission approve another three-year contract with the State Employee Health Plan.

In other business, the commission got a demonstration of the new look county website. The county’s website, ellisco.net, went live with an updated look at the end of August.

The commission also was introduced to the new landfill foreman, Vern Ruder.

Commissioners also approved $52,000 to repair a grader and approved the commission chair to sign the mutual aid agreement with the County Fire Department and the City of Ellis, Victoria and Hays fire departments.