An insurance increase for those who work for Starke County government may not be as sharp as originally thought.
Representatives from First Source insurance told the commissioners that they went to market for the best rates possible and found a plan for only a four percent increase over last year’s premiums. With that, they are able to offer several new programs to assist employees including a variety of consultants for different life planning measures, wellness, and training programs.
A $1,000 increase is expected with deductibles, but much of the coverage remains the same.
Starke County Auditor Rachel Oesterreich warned the Starke County Council and Starke County Commissioners during their last joint session meeting that the increase may be somewhere in the neighborhood of 19 percent and to prepare to make deeper cuts in the budget during November’s meeting. The four percent increase was welcome news during the commissioners meeting on November 2.
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem said she had gotten an email from another company about what could be done with health insurance and they are utilized by other government entities in the county. That company will present information to both the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council at their joint meeting on November 16. The commissioners will make a determination on a healthcare renewal option after both presentations are made.
