SVM employees meet with City Commission about insurance increase
A substantial increase in the employee insurance premiums for the City of Stockton and the Solomon Valley Manor was the topic of discussion at the regular Stockton City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, December 3rd. Several Manor employees were on hand to visit with the commission about the increase. It was noted that the cost for the employees’ share would more than double in 2020 due to the 37% increase. The employees will split the cost 50/50 with the City, instead of the former 70/30 split. Manor employee Helena Saunders stated that her insurance would be $320.00 $320.00 a month. She also spoke on behalf of several employees who were not at the meeting, noting the following comments: one employee stated that she would have to drop her insurance unless the rates come down; another said she would have to choose the worst option available with the cost to be $140.00 per month; another stated that her insurance more than doubled, so she will probably put what she had been paying into a savings account and not have any insurance. Saunders stated that one third of the employees take home over $20,000.00 net per year, while the other two thirds take home less than $20,000.00. She stated that on the family red plan that is being offered, it would come to $13,700.00 a year for the employee’s part of the insurance. Saunders stated, “The employees can’t afford it and they don’t know how they will make it through the year.” Some had heard that Etna insurance didn’t go up as much and wanted to know why the City went with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Commissioner Sandi Rogers stated that Etna had increased 35%, but Blue Cross was offering an HSA (Health Savings Account) that the employees could put money into each month with the City to match up to $25.00 for a single and $50.00 for a family. They also offered plans that have higher deductibles to keep costs down.
City manager Courtney Flower stated that the increase came out to 42% across the board for the 2020 insurance. The employees have met with Julie Yarmer from Freedom Claims to look at options and get their questions answered.
Commissioner Don McLaughlin gave the example that the insurance increases are hitting everyone hard, stating his insurance went up 30% the coming year.
A total of 70% of the employees need to be part of the City plan with the options and deductibles for each plan offered reviewed at the meeting. The employees stated that the insurance does not feel like a benefit anymore with commissioner Reesa Brown stating that the City budgeted for what the average yearly increase has been in the past. It was also noted that the high usage of the insurance was another reason the City’s increase was so high.
Manor administrator Amanda Atkisson noted that the facility generates its own revenue, stating that the City does not pay for Manor salaries. An option would be to increase room rates, which were not raised in 2019 to cover some of the increase.
Brown stated that the City plans to look at options and the budget concerning insurance for the 2021 year. Flower stated an option to consider for next year would be employee stipends with them finding their own insurance. She noted that there are many things to consider during this year and told those present that the annual rates from the insurance companies are received by the City on October 1st. So nothing can be done until the City receives these figures.
Commissioner Nathan Glendening stated that for the coming year the cost increases are what they are and the City is offering the employees the best plans and options they can. Another option is to consider looking at a higher deductible plan or not signing up for the HSA to save money. The commissioners also informed the employees present that they can work on keeping the clinic visits and usage down by utilizing services like “Tell A Doc,” with some employees stating that they have used the service and it works well.
The employees thanked the commissioners for listening to their concerns with the Commission stating they are not happy with the increase, but their hands are tied. During the coming year the commissioners will look at several options and plans that would cover the employees’ needs as well as review monthly usage reports.
Next, Rooks County Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe was at the meeting and updated the commissioners as to where the department is heading for the new year. The emphasis has been on helping existing businesses with such things as Facebook marketing. There will be more Lunch and Learns scheduled in the coming year for the businesses to attend to garner information in that area. Six business owners had attended a Destination Boot Camp in the fall to learn about small business strategies. The host of the boot camp will schedule a workshop at Stockton in early 2020 so more people can attend. There were eight new businesses that opened during 2019, with several business expansions. There were several successful owner transitions, as well. At this time Hrabe is working with four individuals who are working on starting a new business, and he is also working with the schools with the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge that is held every spring.
Hrabe said he is available to help with several services for Stockton and is working on a different kind of First Impressions program to get a realistic view of the economy, and the strengths and weaknesses of the town. Hrabe said the towns in the county need to know what to focus on. Hrabe also noted that the State is bringing back the Kansas Main Street program and he feels the County should take advantage of it. He suggested the possibility of having a part-time person in the county who would concentrate on Main Street development in the towns.
Mark Lowry was at the meeting to talk about Pinegar/Smith & Associates, Inc. a consulting firm that would replace lobbyist Jonathan Small, who is retiring. There has been positive feedback from the legislators that Lowry had visited with about the firm. This company also represents Norton, so there would be a local connection with towns that have the same interests and concerns being represented in Topeka. Lowry felt the consulting firm would be a good match for Stockton, and stated that the City could reach out to the County and other towns to team up and move forward in a more regional approach. The commissioners voted to hire the consulting firm of Pinegar/Smith & Associates. Inc. for the 2020 year.
After reviewing the municipal court costs, the commissioners voted to approve Ordinance 1662, which will increase the City’s court costs to the Rooks County level. This ordinance will go into effect before the City and County merge into a combined law enforcement department on January 1st.
Next, Solomon Valley Manor Administrator Amanda Atkisson presented the commissioners with a proposal about the health insurance. There is money in the budget to help fund the cost of the Manor employees’ insurance premiums at an 80/20 split instead of a 70/30 split. The commissioners will take the proposal under consideration after asking how that would affect the other city employees since the Manor generates their own revenue, and the proposal would only cover the facility’s employees.
The commissioners then voted to close the two D.A.R.E. accounts at the Farmers National Bank so a money order can be deposited into the Rooks County Sheriff’s account before the new year.
Next, the final pay request to EBH Engineering in the total amount of $33,654.50 was approved to be paid by the commissioners, before they looked at the budget amendment to the General Fund. The commissioners approved the recommendations by Flower to allocate up to $350,000.00 out of the electric depreciation fund. The budget amendment will be published in the Stockton Sentinel with the public hearing date set for Monday, December 23rd at 5:00 p.m.
Flower then gave her City Manager’s Report by informing the commissioners that city attorney Joe Gasper will be meeting with Clayton Taylor about the cleanup progress of the Taylor Fuel Systems building. It was noted that Jon Voss had purchased the Carl Sander property that is located in the south part of town. Flower reported that City employee Paul Hrabe had turned in his resignation. Two City vehicles have been sold on Purple Wave with the 2013 Chevy police car selling for $6,500.00, and the dump truck selling for $5,000.00. Since the trees are Main Street have been cut down, letters have been sent out to the Main Street tree donors, with most of them asking that the memorial plaques be installed on the new wrought iron benches that will be purchased for Main Street in the near future. Flower ended by stating that she and accounts payable clerk Kayla Hilbrink are working on a 50/50 playground grant for safety ground covering, which is due in January.
City commissioners present for the meeting were Sandi Rogers, Don McLaughlin, Reesa Brown and Nathan Glendening as well as city manager Courtney Flower and accounts payable clerk Kayla Hilbrink. Mayor Kim Thomas was absent from the meeting.
