ELLISVILLE - The Ellisville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the city’s health plan renewal and establish a GAP Plan to assist with medical costs.
Ellisville Mayor Lynn Buckhaults and the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday handled several items designed to help the employees and citizens in this Jones County city. With some discussion, the board unanimously agreed to approve the city’s renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company at a 24 percent rate increase.
The mayor and officials said they had checked with other health insurance carriers and the proposed increase was cheaper than some other plans. However, officials recommended adding a GAP Policy to the city’s plan, which is expected to only be used if an employee is hospitalized.
The mayor said the city pays a portion of the employees insurance, and the GAP plan would help keep the cost down for the city and the employees. He said under the current plan, each employee pays $503.38 monthly with a $500 deductible; under the new plan, the employee will pay $527.83 and the deductible will remain the same.
“It’s less than a $25 increase for the employees,” he explained. “It’s an increase for the city but not much for the employees. It’s the best option.”
In another matter, the board agreed to allow the Ellisville Church of Christ to conduct a movie night on August 10 at the downtown Community Bank Park in Ellisville.
“It’s a back to school event where the church just wants to share with the community,” Jessie Armstrong with the church said. “We want to offer a free event and show what ECOC is about.”
The board voted 5-0 to allow the event and officials also reminded Armstrong of the city’s requirement for a certificate of insurance.
Also, with little discussion, the board unanimously approved Michelle Blackwell’s request for the South Jones High School Homecoming Parade, which is scheduled for Sept. 19.
In other business, the board discussed a new monitoring system for the police department, accepted the resignation of the city’s fire chief, and agreed to add deputy city clerk Suzanne Harenza as a signee on the city’s bank account for times when City Clerk Charma Cook is out and payroll needs to be issued.
Buckhaults said the mayor, city clerk and Mayor-Pro-Tem Councilman Aaron Heidelberg are already signees on the account.