It could reportedly cost the city an additional $140,000 per year to continue providing health insurance for its more than 100 employees. Referencing the strategy used to lower insurance costs for the current year, Mayor Steve Rosenthal said, “This increase is based on what we’re already doing.”
To reduce the amount the city had to pay out for the current fiscal year, the lawmakers raised the employee deductible to $5,000 and are using a secondary insurance carrier to subsidize the first half of that so the employees only have to meet a $2,500 deductible annually.
Rosenthal informed the city lawmakers on Monday night that Blue Cross Blue Shield, the city’s provider, has notified him that effective July 1 the rate will increase to around $110 per month, per employee.
In addition, the monthly amount paid by employees who carry their spouse and family members on their policy will increase to $1,000 or more out of pocket.
Rosenthal said the city’s agent and consultant are investigating other options, but cautioned that it may be difficult to find a better offer. “We may or may not have a secondary deal, you know last year nobody wanted to quote us at any price,” said Rosenthal.
He explained that he was just trying to make the aldermen aware of the situation so they would know that a decision has to be made if new quotes come in. “If we get no quotes, then we have to decide if we’re going to change this policy at all,” said Rosenthal.
Rosenthal said he has a meeting planned with BCBS for May 21 so they can tell him why there has been a 30 percent increase in the policy amount. He said he hopes to have some information available by the next meeting.
In other business,
The Aldermen voted 4 to 1 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the B.B. King Museum regarding the MDOT Transportation Alternative Program grant that is to be used to revitalize a portion of Indianola’s entertainment district, the burial site for B.B. King and new construction at the museum. Alderman Sam Brock was the lone no vote.
Although it had been reportedly approved for purchase in a previous meeting, the Indianola lawmakers voted to now table advertising for bids on an infrared pothole repair machine using the reverse auction process. Alderman Marvin Elder said he would like to have at least three companies come and demonstrate their machines first.
Rosenthal cautioned that the companies would not come in for free. Alluding to the cost of the equipment, Elder said, “If you want to make $200,000 to $300,000 off the city of Indianola you should be willing to come in and demonstrate and repair a section of road or street so all of us can see.”
The city legislators also discussed the possibility of dredging portions of the Indian Bayou to get better water flow and enlisted Gardner Engineering to prepare a cost estimate for replacing the culverts and possibly raising the Seymour Drive bayou crossing, which typically becomes impassable during any heavy rain.
The lawmakers approved blocking off streets for a 100 Women of Zion Prayer Walk slated for Saturday May 18 at 9 a.m.
They also voted to table a decision on a request to host a mental health/cancer awareness car show and parade because the organizer made changes to the proposed route and the new route did not get the necessary departmental approvals.
The aldermen also voted to surplus and sell two fire trucks that by state standards are no longer usable.
The decision also included a pickup truck.
