Employee health insurance was the major item of discussion at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Daviess County Commission. Paul Williams asked the commissioners for permission to search for a new re-insurance carrier. Williams told the commissioner that the current carrier of the counties re-insurance is asking for a 40% jump in cost. The commissioners also received information showing a jump in the number of claims filed by county employees this year, compared to the same time last year. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart said the county’s health insurance plan currently adds $19,000 to each employee’s compensation package and is an important but hidden and often overlooked part of employee compensation.
The commissioners then discussed a request to continue the closure of County Road 200 N to allow mining on the south side of the road between CR 350 E and CR 450 E. The original agreement with the coal mine was to allow for the closure of CR 200 N for 30 months beginning in December of 2022. The coal mine has asked for an extension to December of this year. The commissioner agreed to the extension with the stipulations that they provide a run-around route, provide adequate bond, and promise to rebuild CR 200 N when the mining is finished.
The commissioners also received what may be the final construction update on the courthouse renovation project. The commissioners were told that, with a few minor items, the third and second floors are completed and the circuit and superior court chambers are usable. There is still some work to do with the security system, and it finishes on the first floor. The State Fire Marshal is scheduled for an inspection of the project on Thursday. The commissioners also heard that the move-in schedule will begin with the Circuit Court, followed by the Superior Court, the Clerk’s Office, the Probation Department, and then the Prosecutor’s Office, following at one-week intervals.
In other business, the commissioners approved a request from the Probation Department to apply for a Justice Partners Addictions Response Grant. Received reports from Baker Tilly on the county’s finances. The report showed a growth in the county’s assessed valuation and a continued drop in the county tax rate.
The next meeting of the county commissioners is scheduled for July 8.
