"Good news" is what the Wayne County Board of Commissioners received in regard to health insurance rates for the coming fiscal year.
Steve Muir and Adam Endicott with Agri-City Insurance were at Tuesday's commissioners' meeting. Muir told the board that he was pleased with this 5.9% increase in rates as "I have seen a lot worse."
Commissioners received updates on options available through the coverage and learned there is little change from the current policy.
Following Muir's presentation, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the renewal with United Health Care Company, which is effective Sept. 1, 2024.
Three bids were opened for a culvert project which involves putting in three culverts in District 3.
The bid of $92,862.95 from B's Enterprise was accepted for these culverts. The commissioners noted that these culverts are all one piece and made of a heavier steel.
Commissioners approved the cancellation of EMC Insurance property coverage, as the company is no longer able to provide coverage for the courthouse. Instead, the commissioners accepted coverage for the county through Travelers Insurance.
Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz updated the board on upcoming activities he will be involved with. This includes a Cyber Ready Community Gaming event at Northeast Community College on Thursday, July 18.
Commissioners were also invited to attend the event to learn aspects of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's cybersecurity framework.
Kemnitz also brought forward a quote from Dell Technologies for a laptop computer. This computer would be used when Kemnitz is out in the field. The laptop he had been using, which was a 2019 model, is no longer usable and an additional computer in the office was purchased in 2015.
He had sought bids from three companies but had only heard from Dell.
Commissioners approved the purchase at a total cost of $3,429.41.
Also approved was moving forward with hiring Mike Pommer, CPA to assist with budget preparation for the upcoming fiscal year.
Joni Tietz told the commissioners that at this time there is no estimate on the cost, but that $5,000 had been budgeted for this and she felt it would be considerably less. She also noted that Pierce County also works with Pommer in this area.
As part of the consent agenda, the commissioners accepted the resignation of County Clerk Debra Finn, effective Aug. 5. Finn has worked for the county for more than 45 years and has been an elected official for 33 years.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, July 16 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courthouse.
