03/13/2001 Special
MINUTES
OF THE MONROE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
2001/73
Special Meeting
Board of County Commissioners
Tuesday, March 13,2001
Marathon, Florida
A Special Meeting of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners convened at
9:00 A.M., on the above date at the Marathon Government Center. Present and answering to roll
call were Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy, Commissioner Murray Nelson, Commissioner
Dixie Spehar, and Mayor George Neugent. Commissioner Nora Williams arrived later in the
meeting. Also present were Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk; James Roberts, County Administrator;
Suzanne Hutton, Assistant County Attorney; County Staff, members of the press and radio; and
the general public.
All stood for the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDmONS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS
There were no Additions, Corrections, or Deletions made to the Agenda.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Administrator James Roberts and Administrative Services Director Sheila Barker
discussed with the Board Monroe County employees and retirees group benefits and approval as
appropriate as per resolution. Representatives from Keys Physician Hospital Alliance (KPHA),
Walgreens Health Initiatives (WHP), and Gallagher Bassett made presentations to the Board.
The following individuals addressed the Board: Gwen Rodriguez, Leonard H. Knowles, Andy
McBroom, representing the International Association of Firefighters, Local #3909; Mary Tucker,
Mary Wingate, Susan Hawxhurst, Judi Angels, Tom Brazil, representing the Fraternal Order of
Police, Lodge #38; and Bob Voss, representing the Fraternal Order of Police. The following
Monroe County' Constitutional Officers also addressed the Board: Property Appraiser, Ervin A.
Higgs; Supervisor of Elections, Harry Sawyer; Sheriff Richard D. Roth; and Clerk of Court,
Danny L. Kolhage.
After Board discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by
Commissioner Spehar to accept the following recommendations:
2. Implementation of Emergency Room Visit deductible of$75 per visit.
Implementation date is October 1, 2001. At present, there is a tendency for
employees and dependents to utilize the emergency room for non-emergency
situations rather than going to a personal physician or a clinic. The Administration
concurs.
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10.
14.
15.
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5.
Begin two-stage approach on examining other options for health coverage. Phase
one: Work with consultant on what plans are available and what would be the
range of options we would have from self-insurance to fully funded plan and/or a
mixed plan. Phase two: Refine our range of options and RFP for providers. The
recommended time for implementation would be ASAP. The Administration
concurs and feels that the state health benefits program should be considered if
eligibility for Monroe County is passed by the state legislature.
6.
Secure National wrap around network and eliminate out-of-network exclusion.
This means that retirees and dependents who live around the country will have the
benefit of in-network expenses rather than out-of-network expenses. The
Administration concurs.
8.
Limit Chiropractic visits per calendar year from 60 to 30. The Administration
concurs.
9.
Limit Massage Therapy visits per calendar year to 15. The Administration
concurs.
Limit Acupuncture Treatments per year to 15. The Administration concurs.
11.
Vision Benefits - return to "no more than one complete visual examination,
including refraction, during any two calendar years. At present, the benefit is
available for each calendar year. The Administration concurs.
Acordia to process claims under Medicare guidelines regarding unbundling of
charges. The Administration concurs. This will reduce the possibility for
providers to charge full fees for two services when both rely upon the same
basic procedures.
The rates for dependent health premiums should be increased $10 per pay period
to help cover the deficit between health care costs and dependent premium
contributions. This will change the deduction per pay period from $100 for one
dependent to $110 and from $120 for two or more to $130.
Mayor Neugent read a letter from Commissioner Williams concerning changes to the
Group Insurance Plan. Roll call vote was unanimous.
Motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner
Spehar to accept the following recommendation:
1. Employees hired on or after October 1, 2001 would not be eligible for free or
reduced coverage upon satisfYing Florida Retirement System requirements.
Employees hired on or after October 1, 2001 would have to pay full premium rate
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upon retirement (whatever that rate is at the time.) At present, retirees do not
contribute toward the cost of health insurance. The Administration concurs.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Commissioner Spehar and seconded by Mayor Neugent to not
approve the following recommendation:
3. Implement a charge for all current retirees and all employees employed by the
county prior to October 1, 2001, upon their satisfying all retirement requirements.
The charge should be $100 per month for their insurance. Group Insurance will
assist all retirees who do not claim their Retiree Health Insurance Subsidy from the
FRS with the process to obtain it. Implementation date of October 1, 2001. (The
amount of the subsidy is based on service credit at retirement, $5 for each year of
service, with a minimum monthly subsidy of$50 and a maximum of$150. The
County pays FRS for Insurance Subsidy.) The Administration concurs but is
willing to consider a different amount commensurate with the amount received by
retirees to assist with the provision of health insurance.
Roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Commissioner McCoy Yes
Commissioner Nelson No
Commissioner Spehar Yes
Mayor Neugent No
Motion failed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner McCoy to
change the policy requiring the retirees to reimburse the county for health insurance coverage in
the amount that they receive from the Florida Retirement System as a supplement to their
retirement for that purpose. Roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Commissioner McCoy Yes
Commissioner Nelson Yes
Commissioner Spehar No
Mayor Neugent Yes
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner McCoy and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to
approve the following Resolution approving the recommendations 1 & 3, as approved above.
(This Resolution is reconsidered and approved in a different format later in the meeting.) Roll call
vote was taken with the following results:
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Commissioner McCoy
Commissioner Nelson
Commissioner Spehar
Mayor Neugent
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Motion carried.
Gwen Rodriguez, Leonard H. Knowles, and Susan Hawxhurst addressed the Board.
Motion was made by Commissioner McCoy and seconded by Mayor Neugent to reconsider the
previous Resolution. Mr. Roberts also addressed the Board. Roll call vote was unanimous.
After discussion, motion was made by Commissioner McCoy and seconded by Commissioner
Nelson to adopt the following Resolution which approves Recommendation #1 only. Motion
carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 119-2001
Said Resolution is incorporated herein by reference.
Motion was made by Commissioner McCoy and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to
approve the recommendation from Walgreens Health Initiatives - Retail: $10 for generic, $20
brand, $35 non-preferred brands. Via mail: $25 for generic, $50 brand, $87.50 non-preferred
brands for 90 day supply. Implementation date of October 1, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Spehar to
approve the following recommendation:
7. Increase out of Network disincentive from 10% to 5e% 30% . Since a reduced
cost of network services will be available in most areas of the country and since
almost all plan participants will be able to take advantage of it, there is little need
to go outside of network. Plan members who go outside the network for personal
reasons, thereby costing the County more money, should pay a higher percentage.
The Administration concurs.
Roll call vote was unanimous.
Motion was made by Commissioner McCoy and seconded by Commissioner Spehar to
refer the following recommendations to the Administrator:
12. Increase yearly deductible from $200 to $300 per individual and from $400 to
$1000 per family. The Administration concurs.
13. At present, covered individuals are responsible for 20% of health care costs on a
total cost of$lO,OOO. Thereafter, the plan pays 100%. Recommendation is to
change the base limit to $20,000. The Administration concurs.
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During discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Motion was then made by Commissioner Nelson
and seconded by Commissioner McCoy to approve the following recommendation, as modified:
12. Increase yearly deductible from $200 to $300 per individual and from $400 to
$1000 $600 per family.
Roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Commissioner McCoy Yes
Commissioner Nelson Yes
Commissioner Spehar No
Mayor Neugent Yes
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner McCoy to
approve recommendation #13 above, as modified by leaving it at the $10,000 limit at the present,
but to increase it 10% per year until the limit reaches $20,000. Commissioner Williams enters the
meeting. Roll call vote was unanimous.
Motion was made by Commissioner Spehar and seconded by Commissioner Williams
directing Staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Cafeteria Plan for Group Health
Insurance which could include both the self insurance version as well as an outside provider. Roll
call vote was unanimous.
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
Motion was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Spehar to
open the agenda. Motion carried unanimous. Motion was made by Mayor Neugent and
seconded by Commissioner Williams to add Agenda item D 1 concerning the approval of revisions
to the Memorandum of Agreement between Monroe County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission. Motion carried unanimously. Marine Resources Director, George
Garrett addressed the Board. Commissioner McCoy excused himself from the meeting. Motion
was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Nelson granting approval
and authorizing execution of the item. Roll call vote was unanimous.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Nelson
granting approval for the transfer of one buildable from William Adams to Monroe County by
Warranty Deed, Permit Number 00-3-2846 for property described as Lot 18, Block 15, Eden
Pines Colony, Big Pine Key. The applicant receiving a dwelling unit allocation award for the year
ending July 13, 2001, has filed the document in accordance with Ordinance No 47-1999. Motion
carried unanimously.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Mr. Roberts addressed the Board. Motion was made by Commissioner Williams and
seconded by Commissioner Spehar to table discussion of issues that will be part of the proposed
Fiscal Year 2002 Budget with guidelines from the Board of County Commissioners concerning
how they wish to approach these issues, to the meeting of March 22,2001 in Marathon. Motion
carried unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk
and ex-officio Clerk to the Board
of County Commissioners
Monroe County, Florida
-Sk~ C. /J)p;A~
Isabel C. DeSantis, Deputy Clerk