THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES BOARD

Board of Directors Meeting

June 4, 1999

2:00 P.M.

City Hall Conference Room

 

 

Board Members Present:                Chairman Herring, Mayor Campbell and Jim Miller

 

Staff Present:       Bruce Woods and Kimberly Riddle

 

From the City of Thomasville:        Tom Berry, Mark Barber and Donna Scott

 

From Thomas County:      Mike Stephenson and Twink Monahan

 

News Media:       Mark Brannan and Laura Cassels

 

Absent:                 Councilman Earl Williams

 

 

Chairman Herring called the meeting to order.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 26, 1999:

 

Mayor Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 26th TCESB Board of Directors meeting.  Jim Miller seconded the motion.  The minutes stand approved.

 

HEALTHCARE:

 

Mark Barber, Finance Director for the City of Thomasville attended the meeting to discuss healthcare options.  He explained to the board the total aggregate amount for all three entities (city, county and TCESB employees) was estimated to be $1.6 million dollars.  The proposed city aggregate amount currently includes the firefighters.  Chairman Herring asked Mark Barber why each entity could not furnish 1/3 of the aggregate pool.  Mark Barber stated that this could be done.  Mayor Campbell questioned putting all of the funds into one pool.  Mark Barber stated that for bookkeeping purposes, it should be kept separately.  Twink Monahan, Insurance Department for Thomas County stated that an attachment amount needs to be set after a certain amount of claims have been paid. 

 

Mark Barber stated that the City of Thomasville bid out at $40,000.00.  The results showed that the amount for single coverage would be $16.56 and $38.09 for family coverage.   It is estimated that Thomas County will save approximately $2.00 per employee on the PPO amount.

 

Chairman Herring felt that moving forward and adding the city employees to the healthcare plan in November does not seem to be a good decision.  Due to current claims made on the county side, the cost may increase tremendously.  Twink Monahan stated that the speck amount for those employees on the county side with large claims could be raised.  She further stated that the rates would not change because of current on-going medical claims being made by two county employees.

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman Herring stated that the county would be loosing 22% of its employees to the TCESB.  Most of these employees will be of a young, healthy age.  He stated that he is concerned about the increase in cost of the aggregate for the remaining county employees.

Mark Barber explained to the board that the current insurance coverage would remain in effect until June 1, 1999.  The new insurance will also begin on June 1, 1999.  Any claim that has not been turned in by that date, the new insurance coverage will not pick up.  He further stated that any reinsure problems being faced by the county would not occur due to loosing (37) employees, it would occur due to catastrophic claims.

 

Tom Berry stated that all employees need to be covered as one entity as soon as possible.  He believes a decision needs to be made at this time.  Chairman Herring stated that the County Commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 1999 and this insurance dilemma will be on the agenda for possible approval.  Mark Barber stated that the insurance company has already given an extension on the renewal date for the city and it expires on June 4th .  Donna Scott from the City of Thomasville Risk Management Department left the meeting to call and request an extension until June 8th .  Ms. Scott returned to the meeting and stated that the insurance company would allow an extension to June 8th however, any claims that may come in between June 4th through the decided on renewal date would not be covered. 

 

Chairman Herring stated that the Thomas County Board of Commissioners would take action on Tuesday, June 8th and report back to Mark Barber.

 

Mike Stephenson requested to the TCESB board that a “Board of Trustees” be arranged for the insurance.  Tom Berry proposed that Mike Stephenson, Mark Barber, Twink Monahan and himself be appointed as trustees.  Mayor Campbell made a motion to approve the four members for the board of trustees.  Jim Miller seconded the motion.  All parties were in agreement and the motion stands approved.

 

On motion of Chairman Herring and seconded by Mayor Campbell, the meeting was adjourned.