Syracuse Hears Two Options for Town Employee Insurance
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kathy Cone-
Chris Cotton, Cotton & Cotton Insurance Agency Inc., offered council members a few options for continuing employee coverage with minimal premium increase. The town has 29 employees.
Affordable Care Act requirements would cause the plan design to change a little, Cotton explained, adding that there could be more out-of-pocket expenses for employees.
“The policy you have basically fits the bronze policy laid out by the government,” he said.
He suggested the town renew next year’s policy early – by Dec. 1. This would lock in the premium at an 11.26 percent increase, which is under what was budgeted. In the past, the town’s premium increases have been higher, somewhere between 12 to 18 percent, and once it was even as high as 36 percent.
The other option would be to wait until figures come in for the 2014 premium for the usual Jan. 1 renewal. This information was not available Tuesday, but Cotton said he hopes to have it before the Nov. 15 decision deadline.
Although there is a slight chance that the cost will be a bit lower, Cotton advised, “In 20 years of doing this, I know the insurance companies don’t lose.”
The council authorized clerk Julie Kline and town manager Henry DeJulia to negotiate the matter. Because the decision must be made before the next council meeting, they were instructed to choose the policy with “the lowest premium increases with the least amount of changes to the plan.”
In other business, council:
• Authorized final payments on the business park project, and granted a substantial completion certificate.
• Heard about an upcoming equipment purchase by the fire department. Chief Mickey Scott outlined the benefits of the company’s fire truck, and what needed to be repaired or replaced on it. He informed council that he would like to refit the current truck which would keep costs within the budgeted $250,000.
• Was informed the new website for the business park is www.syracuse6and13.com
• Pass a motion granting the town to apply for a grant to make repairs at the Poly-Wood Inc. location, including piping for storm water drainage and ditch and road repairs.
• Authorized the public works director to purchase a new roller for no more than $14,857, and a wastewater rate study not to exceed $7,000.
• Discussed and granted a request from J.R. Parent, Oakwood, asking for the ability to request access to Line Road if a future project requires such a request.
• Was informed that hydrants would be flushed next week, and the clerk’s office would be closed Oct. 24 and Nov. 6.
• Was informed that Halloween Trick-or-Treat hours would be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The Crosson Park haunted house will be open from Oct. 24-26, and a children’s fall carnival will be Saturday at the youth center.[[In-content Ad]]
Chris Cotton, Cotton & Cotton Insurance Agency Inc., offered council members a few options for continuing employee coverage with minimal premium increase. The town has 29 employees.
Affordable Care Act requirements would cause the plan design to change a little, Cotton explained, adding that there could be more out-of-pocket expenses for employees.
“The policy you have basically fits the bronze policy laid out by the government,” he said.
He suggested the town renew next year’s policy early – by Dec. 1. This would lock in the premium at an 11.26 percent increase, which is under what was budgeted. In the past, the town’s premium increases have been higher, somewhere between 12 to 18 percent, and once it was even as high as 36 percent.
The other option would be to wait until figures come in for the 2014 premium for the usual Jan. 1 renewal. This information was not available Tuesday, but Cotton said he hopes to have it before the Nov. 15 decision deadline.
Although there is a slight chance that the cost will be a bit lower, Cotton advised, “In 20 years of doing this, I know the insurance companies don’t lose.”
The council authorized clerk Julie Kline and town manager Henry DeJulia to negotiate the matter. Because the decision must be made before the next council meeting, they were instructed to choose the policy with “the lowest premium increases with the least amount of changes to the plan.”
In other business, council:
• Authorized final payments on the business park project, and granted a substantial completion certificate.
• Heard about an upcoming equipment purchase by the fire department. Chief Mickey Scott outlined the benefits of the company’s fire truck, and what needed to be repaired or replaced on it. He informed council that he would like to refit the current truck which would keep costs within the budgeted $250,000.
• Was informed the new website for the business park is www.syracuse6and13.com
• Pass a motion granting the town to apply for a grant to make repairs at the Poly-Wood Inc. location, including piping for storm water drainage and ditch and road repairs.
• Authorized the public works director to purchase a new roller for no more than $14,857, and a wastewater rate study not to exceed $7,000.
• Discussed and granted a request from J.R. Parent, Oakwood, asking for the ability to request access to Line Road if a future project requires such a request.
• Was informed that hydrants would be flushed next week, and the clerk’s office would be closed Oct. 24 and Nov. 6.
• Was informed that Halloween Trick-or-Treat hours would be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The Crosson Park haunted house will be open from Oct. 24-26, and a children’s fall carnival will be Saturday at the youth center.[[In-content Ad]]
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