By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Non-union health insurance changes to a new program Sept. 1.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan administers the self-funded health insurance program Cass County has for its employees. The program's partners are the County of Cass, the Medical Care Facility, Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network and the Council on Aging, significantly increasing the number of covered lives.
Unfortunately, county commissioners heard Thursday night, the cost of the program has been increasing beyond the means of the partners.
The new program was developed with three coverage levels. It was negotiated and implemented with the general union employee group in 2003. Woodlands switched all of its employees in 2004.
The new program is on the bargaining table in negotiations with sheriff's deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers. The motion commissioners adopted May 5 switches elected officials and non-union employees to the new program effective Sept. 1.
Finally, Proctor reported, Friend of the Court funding, "which has been the subject of your last meetings," was absent from the May 5 agenda because of the creation of a committee composed of Chairman Bob Wagel, R-Wayne Township, and the judges.
One meeting has taken place. Another is slated next week. "Until the second meeting takes place, and there are additional discussions," there will be no action recommended, he said. Proctor added that county budgeting consumed the last three days. He's about half done, so it will probably be another three days.
County auction at
fairgrounds June 4
Commissioners approved Sheriff Joe Underwood's request to hold a county auction of surplus and forfeited property on Saturday, June 4, at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Cassopolis.
Commissioners also approved a $308.03 budget transfer Proctor recommended. The board bought a John Deere lawn mower at the Dec. 16, 2004, meeting. The mower's price increased between July 2004 when the budget was prepared and the purchase five months later.