Gilmer County commissioners have voted to accept an employee insurance benefit plan which increases 22 percent over last year.
“Let me say, too, that has been a long and arduous process because they started out right around 70 again,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris. “They have done a tremendous job of negotiating this.”
Modifications had to be made to reduce the level of increase, he said. A reason for such a high initial increase was a large amount of claims from employees, spouses and family.
Employee out-of-pocket expenses will increase as part of the new plan. One example of a change being made is employee co-pays for regular doctor visits will go from $25 to $30.
Commissioners also debated the county employee split for insurance. Currently, Gilmer County pays 86 percent of insurance costs, and employees pay 14 percent.
When asked, Gilmer County Human Resources Director Patrick Ho told commissioners the standard for most small governments in Georgia is an 80/20 split.
Paris said the consideration of whether to increase the split would affect cost of living increases and raises.
“Raises and benefits are intertwined,” Paris said.
Commissioner voted to maintain the 86/14 split this year.
“I’m fine with it this year, but we need to work toward changing the ratio,” said Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
Paris said he was fine looking at changing the ratios, but the county needed to work toward reducing the high rate of claims.
“What we need to do is try to address the health conditions that are making us have claims that are so high,” Paris said. “We need to lower those claims.”
Employee wellness incentives and programs are things commissioners agreed to discuss in the future.
Other business
﹣ Commissioners will be giving final input to the county attorney for new ordinances dealing with short-term rentals and crypto mining. They are hoping to begin voting on the ordinances in November or December.
﹣ Members of the shelter dog support group, Ellijay Paws in Need, asked commissioners for more funding for shelter staff and medical support.
﹣ Commissioners were told county pool construction is now 90 percent complete.