Commissioners approve new insurance plan, hear of veterans service effort

McCOOK, Neb. — A new contract will give Red Willow County the option to stop using a partially self-funded health insurance system in the future, but will already move county employees’ life, dental and vision coverage to a fully-funded provider.

Following a discussion with Chad Svoboda of Svoboda Benefits, commissioners voted unanimously to accept a new insurance policy that is virtually the same as the previous coverage but includes a “terminal liability option” to provide transitional coverage in case the county decides to switch to fully-funded policies.

Lucent will provide health insurance coverage, but dental, life and vision claims will be fully covered by Principal Insurance instead of partially covered by the county.

In addition, all county employees will have life insurance coverage, whether or not they are on the county’s health insurance plan.

For health insurance claims, the county is responsible for the first $40,000 in costs or an additional $20,000 if an aggregate level is reached.

Svoboda, of Aurora, plans to meet with employees in the coming months to bring them up to speed on the transition.

Veterans Service Officer Mike Simmonds and Vicki Leibbrandt of his office updated the commissioners on their effort to Veterans Administration services more accessible to area veterans.

Simmonds said a recent VA mobile unit a good number of area veterans, but they hoped to establish a local “opportunity office” to provide more consistent and private access to services.

Chairman Ted Gans assured them that the county supported the effort, but would need more information about available funding and sources.

Commissioner Randy Dean invited Simmonds and Leibbrandt to the next Rewards Committee meeting to explore possible grants to support the project.

Three state entities and a federal agency were involved in another decision considered by commissioners Monday.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation requested to document in preparation for the replacement of the bridge on the Meeker Canal with a culvert, but since Road 378 serves as a county line, both Red Willow and Hitchcock counties are involved.

In the end, commissioners agreed to take official ownership of a bridge where Road 378 crosses a Frenchman Cambridge Irrigation District canal.

The counties and irrigation district are expected to share expenses associated with the project.

Meeting as a board of equalization, commissioners approved a motor vehicle exemption application for Mid-Nebraska Community Action Partnership and tax roll correction resulting from the sale of the Bieker’s Quality Collision body shop to a new owner.