Insurance Options
Marla Knight-Dutille explained the county’s current insurance and other options in comparison. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County fiscal court was called to order on Tuesday, April 15th, with all magistrates in attendance.
It was a special called meeting, and nothing could be discussed that was not listed on the agenda, which was approved after motions by Magistrate Kevin Crain and Daniel Bragg.
After a moment to review, the minutes from the March 27th meeting were approved as written.
Metcalfe County Clerk Shannon Fields addressed the court to discuss voting equipment, “So we’re always looking for something to improve our elections, and this is something that I feel like will. We have machines for each process that we do, except for the six-day early voting. We attach that to the three-day early voting…We need to separate those two days, just in case something ever happens and they need to pull something, we’ve got it separated, and we wouldn’t have to have the judge request for us to open the box for both days and then for the early voting. We also have thought about trying to do the Verity Print, where we would print on demand the ballots… it has a barcode…So you’re looking at, you know, right at $20,000 for all of that.”
The payment options for the equipment were to pay half this fiscal year and half next fiscal year or pay all this year or all next year. That led to the question of paying it all before June 30th or budgeting for it next year. Judge/Executive Larry Wilson advised, “If we’re gonna do it… Just do it all.” That would let the budget start out in July on a clean slate.
The motion to purchase the election equipment and pay for it this year was made by Magistrate Ronnie Miller, then seconded by Bragg, and approved unanimously.
Medical Insurance
Judge Wilson introduced Marla Knight-Dutille, who stated, “I’m here to talk about the county health insurance, but not just what you all have, but what’s out there in the market.”
She explained the KACo plan the county has now, what other plans KACo has, and the costs involved. She then explained Obamacare (ACA) plans, what was offered with those, and the costs involved.
“There are only two fully insured carriers left in the whole entire state of Kentucky. It’s Anthem and United Healthcare. That’s it. Humana left the market,” noted Dutille. Explaining that Humana only offers Medicare supplements now.
After a lengthy explanation of the various plans, coverage, and costs, Dutille provided a comparison sheet and other data sheets listing KACo, Obamacare, State, and United Health Care for the county employees to review. Noting that the choices are more limited for counties with 50 or under employees.
Farmer’s Market
Next was Vicky Harris, Manager of the Farmer’s Market. “I have been with the Farmer’s Market since 2019…We were at $29,000 a year…. Last year, we brought in $85,000, and every year we have increased by anywhere 15 to 20,000. We could not have done this without the support of the community. Our community partners are such an important part of our growth and the support to the seniors and to the community.”
Harris related how the senior vouchers strictly cover only fruits and vegetables, but not bread, eggs, meat, or a jar of jelly. This year the market would like to offer a new program for seniors. The dates or how often haven’t been decided yet, but using a bit of the community partner donations to help the seniors buy that little extra they want, but can’t get with a voucher.
Harris spoke of the programs they offer, “We have WIC, we have Senior Vouchers, we have SNAP, and we have our kid’s nutrition and education program.” This is a program the school supports. The kids in the program sign their names and are given a $5 kid buck that they can buy fruits or vegetables. It must be something edible. Harris also stated that the program is doing great.
“In past years, you all have supported us, and that is greatly appreciated. And again, this year, I’m hoping you’ll be able to donate $1,000 that’s what’s been done in the past. Every single penny of that money, every dime, goes to the seniors, and I have a designated program,” Harris added, “And as you know, the market is nonprofit.”
A motion to donate the yearly contribution of $1,000 to the Farmers Market was made by Bragg, seconded by Miller, and approved unanimously.
Other Business
After a short discussion about individual schedules, the date and time were set for the Budget Workshop Meeting. It was agreed that the meeting would be before the fiscal court meeting at 7 a.m. on April 24th. Treasurer / Fiscal Court Clerk Page Edwards stated that the first reading of the FY25- 26 budget must be made before May 1, and any changes can be made before the 2nd reading.
The next thing on the agenda was the discussion of putting the monthly payroll on automatic draft (direct deposit). Judge Wilson noted, “Sometimes what it is, it will help Page to keep the books a little cleaner. We’re having checks, and they’re not coming back for a while…it’s making it hard…It would be easier just to put it on automatic.”
Edwards added, “We do save on checks that way… We’ve got regular payroll on it right now.”
The motion to approve was made by Bragg, seconded by Crain, and approved.
Edwards advised that anyone with a monthly paycheck needs to provide her with a deposit slip or a voided check to set up the automatic draft, adding it will take a little while before it starts, and she would let everyone know.
The March 2025 Financial Statement was viewed and approved, followed by the Quarterly Financial Statement, which was also approved unanimously.
Next, the budget transfers, inter-fund transfers, and claims were each approved with little need for discussion.
Included in the folders for review were the DES, Recycling, and Road Department Reports.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th at 9 a.m.
