Town looks at insurance options for its employees

Town employees could buy into a new health insurance plan presented recently to the Roachdale Town Counci.

Jeff Rudes of HBG Insurance, who represents Roachdale employees as their health insurance agent, explained the town has a renewal coming up on Dec. 1, and that Anthem Blue Cross is raising its rates up 20 percent.

Under Anthem, town employees have been paying the maximum rate, which started out high. Because of the rate increase, Rudes along with HBG went to the market and looked at 14 different health insurance carriers to change the plan to. "American Community came back with the best rate," said Rudes.

With American Community's rates, it allows the employees to save around $30,000. With this, Rudes said they are planning on changing the benefits a little bit.

Right now, town employees pay a $250 deductible with a $750 out-of-pocket expense for individual employees on the health insurance. Rudes said that a plan like this cannot be found in the market today.

Rudes proposed a health reimbursement arrangement, which means if there is eligible deductible expense more than $250 for employee covered as an individual, the employee would pay the deductible and the town would pay the difference. The same applies for out-of-pocket expenses.

"It's a simple agreement," Rudes said about the arrangement that would save the council money.

President Bill Long recommended that Rudes come back to talk with the employees about the new plan before a decision is made. Rudes agreed with this idea. He will be returning to the town at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13.

In other business, the council:

-- Approved the trick-or-treating hours for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. At 8 p.m., the Optimist Club will start its annual Halloween parade on Railroad Street.

-- Signed an employment contract with David Barber as Town Marshal. Barber informed the council that he was intending to move to Roachdale was in the process of looking for a house.

-- Learned that eight property owners out of 15 have improved the conditions of their properties. Jack Simpson informed the council that he was getting rid of many vehicles, but he was starting a business on rebuilding cars. He asked if he covered his vehicles he was rebuilding and put them behind his building and fence. The council informed Simpson as long as the vehicles were out of the public view, but he could not have more than a few on the property at a time.

-- Reminded the public about the burning trash or rubbish ordinance. The ordinance states, "No person or persons shall burn any leaves, trash, rubbish, garbage or weeds within the town limits of Roachdale, Ind., except between the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Any leaves, rubbish, trash, garbage or weeds so burned within the town limits, shall not be burned upon the paved areas of streets and/or sidewalks." People burning leaves, weeds, or garbage after 6 p.m. or on the paved areas will receive a ticket for violating the ordinance.

-- Learned about issues with trees and bushes needing to be trimmed back. Some on town property, while others are on residents' property. The council agreed to talk to the residents about taking care of the issue.

-- Learned about a disturbing the peace issue at one of the homes in town. Both Barber and Rick Keifer are looking into the issue.

-- Learned that citizens have been taking care of the junk car issues, but some of the vehicles have been ticketed and towed away.

-- Adopted the new town ordinance book.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting is set for Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the town hall. This meeting is open to the public.