Health Care Tops Supervisors' Agenda on Monday

Winston County Supervisors dealt with a multitude of issues today in their regularly scheduled meeting. Most items were normal business activities dealing with demand checks and payments, employee matters, car tag hold list and acknowledgement of permits and other activities. In addition to these items, the Board considered the following items:

• Acknowledged and approved several personnel changes at the Winston County Correctional Facility that included two promotions, one change in status, one resignation and one termination.
• Heard from Claudell Weaver concerning the bid for a bathroom construction at Dean Park. Changes for handicap accessibility and health department requirements has resulted in a significant increase in bid cost from approximately $13,800 to over $20,900. Supervisors questioned the overall cost of the project. District One Supervisor Warner indicated the the bid amount was approaching $100/sf and the Board recommended that more bids and options for the construction be considered. Weaver also informed the Board of several acts of vandalism at the Park that included damage to newly installed firepits in the pavillion area.
• Approved costs for mandatory training of Election Commissioners in January at Philadelphia.
• Approved a demand check to Alliance Health Center for $7000. This amount was reduced from $8500 due to county negotiations.
• Heard from Deborah Sivira of American Municipal Services (AMS) who offered services to collect outstanding court fees for the County. Unpaid court fees and fines have been an issue for the county. AMS proposed collecting the full fee for the county and AMS would receive an amount equal to 25% of the fee from the defendant (above and beyond the current amount). The Board tabled any decision on the proposal until the County Attorney could review the agreement.
• Agreed to advertise for bids for the County Depository for a one year and a two year option.
• Accepted and acknowledged a joint petition of High Point and White Hall Water systems. The Public Service Commission recently approved High Point's application to add White Hall's service area. This in effect, combines the two systems after financial difficulties were experienced by the White Hall system.
• The Board was briefed on changes and status of the County's health insurance situation. The County's carrier, Blue Cross will be inplementing changes that will require county employees to have an available email account to receive announcements and notifications. Supervisors indicated that there were a number of employees in the county that did not have computer or cell phone access at this time. Blue Cross will also make changes to covered drugs starting January 1 but provide a 3-6 month grace period on these changes. Due to ObamaCare changes, the County's policy must also cover 100% of contraceptive costs for female employees in the future. - County participation in the wellness program "Healthy You" which promotes preventative care has been at a low level of only 36%. Increased employee participation could result in lower premiums to the County and several incentives were discussed to promote use of the program.

The full agenda of the meeting is available in the Chancery Clerk's Office. The Board's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 3.