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On Monday, the County Board directed Road Commission Engineer-Manager Robb Falls to go back to the road board with their proposal and find out whether the insurance company can switch plans at mid-point in the year.

The road commissioners do not have to pay any of the premiums for their health insurance. They recently voted for a health insurance buyout of half the cost of the premium for commissioners who have other insurance. It currently costs the road commission $31,976.52 per year to provide PPO health insurance and drug coverage for two commissioners and one buyout.

The county commissioners pay 25% of the cost for their health insurance or may receive half of the 75% as a buyout on a PPO 3 plan.

Both groups of commissioners are part-time elected officials.

"The board of commissioners have got the right to set salaries and benefits," stated Road Commissioner Chairman Harold Donaghy. "Whatever they come up with is what we have to live with. There's not too much we can debate on. Of course we are in negotiations (with the hourly and supervisors unions), basically there's changes coming all over."

Salaries cannot be changed while an elected official is in office, but benefits may be. The county and road commissioners receive the same salaries, $6,000 per year for commissioners and $6,500 for the chairmen.

County commissioners tabled the proposal on Monday, until their meeting on July 23. Commissioner Gary Russell does not favor it.

"When they run for office that (the salary and benefits) is what they receive. When they run next time, I will support this," stated Gary Russell at last week's finance committee.

Commissioner Norton Schramm suggested they word the motion so that future road commissioners receive the same benefits as county commissioners

"We need an interpretation of the law. Do we set it and forget them or do it every year?", asked Commissioner William Walters.

The road commission is asking the county board to approve a policy providing health insurance to current road commissioners and spouses during their term in office. They want to continue to receive the same insurance road commission employees have, which has been the practice, although it is not an official policy. The road commission also wants to pay those who don't take the insurance a buyout equal to about half the single rate or $4,000.

Retired road commissioners

The county board on Monday also set the benefits for retired road commissioners who were elected or appointed before Jan. 1, 2004. Road commissioners elected after the retiree insurance was eliminated are not included.

A couple years ago the road commission's insurance company dropped the retired road commissioners' health insurance, saying as part-time employees they were not eligible for retiree health insurance.

The new policy will cost the road commission $43,512.52 a year to provide insurance for seven people, including spouses. It will be effective immediately.

This insurance is substantially cheaper than the insurance they previously had.

"Is this okay with them?" asked County Commissioner James Ruby.

"I don't know if we want to go there," commented Falls.

"Rumor has it one of the past commissioners is not happy and may not be happy with this. Do we have the right to say if you sign up with this you may not sue?" asked Ruby.

"It was the insurance carrier that took it away," noted Schramm.

Commissioner Gary Russell asked if all the former road commissioners were aware of that day's vote on the issue.

"Some did attend our board meeting when you asked for our support (of retiree commissioner insurance). We did not call or mail out a letter (about this vote)," stated Falls.