CASSOPOLIS — The Medical Care Facility, Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network and Council on Aging are currently partnered with the county under its group health insurance plan.

Commissioners considered allowing Cass County Road Commission to “join the county’s group health insurance plan if or when they choose,” which Commissioner Robert Ziliak, R-Milton Township felt Commissioner Roseann Marchetti’s, R-Edwardsburg, motion was “too open-ended. It could be next week or 10 years from now. There should be some kind of time limit.”

“How about past employees and retirees? Is that plan up to date and fully funded?” asked Commissioner Dale Lowe, R-Howard Township.

“Health insurance is different than pensions,” County Administrator Charles Cleaver replied.

“If there are more people in the pool, does that lower the rate? At one time there was talk that was why they wanted to stay out on their own, because they got a better rate in a smaller class,” Ziliak inquired.

“That may have been” before the county went to a self-insured plan administered by a third party, Cleaver said. Commissioners supported defining an enrollment period.

Ziliak also questioned Commissioner Robert Wagel’s resolution passed by the board 14-1 for a Michigan Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) benefits change from a B2 multiplier to B3 for a new employee contribution rate of 5 percent effective Sept. 1 for the Division 10 group.

“It’s my understanding that this is in lieu of a pay raise,” Ziliak said. “My concern is that we never even authorized a pay raise for this group. We never took a vote, so I don’t think we should change this at this point unless we see more information, but I’m just one of 15.”

Vice Chairman Ed Goodman, R-Silver Creek Township, pointed out, “We had a committee appointed to review this and to bring a recommendation to the board — and this is the recommendation that the committee brought. You appointed the committee when you were chairman. Johnie Rodebush was its chairman and Ron Francis and myself were on it and we added Commissioner (Carl) Higley and (Chairwoman Minnie) Warren.”

In other July 7 business, the commission approved Ziliak’s motion for the release of fourth quarter appropriations: Mental Health Authority, $48,750; Department of Human Services Child Care Fund, $40,000; and Family Court Child Care Fund, $37,500.