The Starke County Council members worked to cut $345,000 out of the 2021 budget as directed by the Department of Local Government Finance.
The council unanimously voted to cut two Sheriff’s Department vehicles worth $70,000 out of the Jail CEDIT Fund. They also agreed to cut $50,000 out of the Sheriff’s Retirement Fund, $10,000 out of Starke County Community Services, $5,000 from the Election Budget, $10,000 from the EMS Budget, and $270,000 in Health Insurance. The health insurance money is being moved into the Jail CEDIT Fund for payment of health insurance for the Sheriff’s Department.
No employee cuts were made.
The commissioners did approve the health insurance quote from 1st Source Insurance as presented. Government officials learned that the health insurance rate was going to increase only $10,472. 1st Source Insurance representatives told the commissioners that they negotiated up to a few hours prior to meeting Monday night for that final figure. Government officials were afraid it would increase 19 percent, but then it was negotiated down to 4 percent and now it is only .68 percent. The employees will get the same coverage with CIGNA.
The commissioners did hear another proposal from Eric Dreyfus and Assured Partners concerning reference-based insurance, but the commissioners decided not to go with that plan in 2021. They may ask other county governments who utilize the company to see how the plan works in those counties.
