By Carol McIntire
Editor
May 19, 2009
Changes to the state Worker’s Compensation have Carroll County Commissioners in limbo.
Mark Milano of Comp Management, the county’s third party administrator for Worker’s Compensation, outlined the changes to commissioners last week. Milano said the state of Ohio is leveling the playing field on the group rating category, of which commissioners are a member.
“I’ve been doing this for 25 years and have never seen this many changes come through at one time,” Milano said.
Commissioners told Milano they heard rates were increasing by as much as 31 percent.
“That was the original estimate, but I don’t know if they are going to do that to municipalities,” Milano replied.
He explained the new discount programs, including The Group Retro program and the Deductible program. For the Retro program, commissioners must sign up by the end of September and, for the Deductible program, the end of the November is the deadline. “They are doing individual rates in June and we will know them by the end of the month,” Milano explained. “Then, in August they will send out the savings notices for groups. I know it is confusing, but we will have to wait until they take the snapshot in June and then figure out what is the best way for you to go.”
Over the past few years, commissioners have worked diligently to get the county back into the group rating plan and realize group discounts and savings for the programs they have been participating in to reduce the number of Worker’s Compensation claims.
“Do you have a recommendation on what we should do?” asked Commissioner President Larry Garner. Commissioner Tom Wheaton noted county office holders have been asked to have their 2010 budget requests in by June 1, and without any idea of how much Worker’s Compensation premiums are going to be, that is a difficult task.
“I know,” replied Milano. “The best I can do is to have a recommendation by August.”
In another financial matter, commissioners discussed budget requests for 2010.
“We need people to understand where we are with the county budget,” said Commissioner Tom Wheaton. “At this point, there is no extra money.” He suggested commissioners meet again with department heads in the next few weeks to get a handle on where their budgets stand.
“The auditor said we are right on track with our anticipated income- there is no extras. When you consider increases in medical, Worker’s Comp and others, we are already in the hole for next year.”
Commissioners agreed to ask Auditor E. Leroy VanHorne to speak at the next county leadership meeting about the county budget. Garner noted that office holders need to make any necessary adjustment now and not wait until the end of the year. “It will be too late then,” he said.
Commissioner Doyle Hawk agreed, and said he feels office holders “might as well figure on making layoffs.”
In other business, commissioners:
-RECEIVED two dog pound reports for the weeks of May 4-9 and May 11-16. The first report showed 27 impounded, 19 tagged, three redeemed and two put to sleep. There were 12 citations for no license. The second showed 21 impounded, 27 tagged and four redeemed. There were four citations for no license.
-ACCEPTED the bid of Mila Construction for the renovations at the Senior Friendship Center at the fairgrounds.
-SET a public viewing June 11 at 10 a.m. and a public hearing June 18 at 9:30 a.m. on a petition to vacate a portion of West Lakeside Drive in Glenmore Allotment in Monroe Twp.
-APPROVED a resolution for Patti Manfull, director of Carroll County Transit, to file a four-year capital and operating plan.
-APPROVED requests for disbursements for the following Ohio Public Works Commission (OPW) project: $19,070 for in-kind work for the Bachelor Rd. Section B project; and $25,514 for work completed on the Pleasant Valley culverts and road improvements project.
-APPROVED the transfer of $4,384 from the county general fund to the landfill escrow fund to pay for attorney fees.
- WILL not meet May 25 due to the Memorial Day holiday. |
