A proposal for an employee health clinic – something that has been bandied about for a while now – is potentially one step closer to becoming a reality following action taken by the Polk County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting Tuesday although not everyone is a fan.
County Judge Sydney Murphy remarked that the county’s older employees like the low deductible, but that in order to keep that deductible low, it results in being cost-prohibitive for some of the county’s younger employees to pay to have their children covered on the plan.
“We previously formed a committee and Tammy Plattenburg, our social services director, has carried the weight of the load. We’ve looked at the wellness information and health care and a clinic would provide valuable services to the employees and their immediate families with very low, or no, co-pay,” Murphy said. “It could potentially provide pharmacy services and vaccination services and would not affect our insurance, but be a supplement available to all county employees.
“The county currently spends over $330,000 in outsourcing and I would like to move forward and provide this information to the community, come in and do some solid numbers, but I do think we would certainly benefit from this and I would like to be able to come back to the Court with a full plan,” Murphy said.
“I’m not a fan. That’s why we have insurance,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Dubose said.
“The other thing, too, is it gives you credit on your insurance. Right now, Ann Luna Winston and Dr. Ray Luna already provide services, so it would just be shifted. It would save time lost at work and reduce insurance costs,” Murphy said.
“I was in a situation like this elsewhere and it was very beneficial. It was a win-win situation,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson said.
“Chambers County cannot say enough good things about it,” Murphy said.
“I have no problem with y’all coming up with a plan,” Purvis said.
“We’re not replacing anybody’s doctor. This is not a replacement. It’s providing additional assistance. According to the counties that we’ve spoken to (Walker, Chambers and Jefferson counties), every single one has had insurance costs go down,” Murphy said.
“Every claim filed affects our rate. If we’re running this clinic, we’ll have fewer claims filed,” Human Resources Director James Mostek said. “If we do it and have participation, we will experience cost savings but it will be over a long time. It needs more research, but it has the opportunity to provide benefit.
“Sounds to me like we’re getting back in the hospital business,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity said.
“No, we’re not getting back in the hospital business. We’re talking about a preventive clinic. The main goal is to provide assistance to the employees and their families,” Murphy said.
“In my mind, the goal is to provide a benefit to the employees. Will we see an immediate monetary savings? No,” Murphy said.
“The better attendance rate is a big deal,” Robertson said. “It’s huge,” Murphy said.
In a 3-1 vote with Dubose voting against, the Court approved moving forward with development of a full plan.
The Court approved the use of certain fireworks for the July Fourth firework season, although it does plan to continue to monitor the drought index in Polk County between now and then.
Preliminary estimates to replace the driveway and add handicapped-accessible parking spaces at the Polk County Memorial Museum are over $50,000 which is the competitive bid limit, so the Court approved advertising for bids. The project will be funded by hotel occupancy tax revenues which are required to be spent on tourism-related projects.
A resolution authorizing a budget amendment for maintenance capital outlay buildings for unanticipated repairs at the Polk County Jail was approved for a chiller and three air conditioning units. “It was unexpected, it affected operations and it was a safety issue,” Murphy said.
Additionally, the Court approved an expenditure from maintenance capital outlay buildings (budgeted funds) for renovation at the jail in the amount of $10,000. This item was a request from maintenance for the erection of partitions between the toilets and showers in the old section of the jail in order to be in compliance with the privacy act.
Having recently conducted a survey to receive suggestions regarding the employee service awards program, the Court approved a committee to review the matter. Those appointed to the committee include the district clerk, the county clerk and the human resources director.
As Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is a county holiday, the court approved rescheduling the regular court session set for Nov. 11 to Nov. 12.
Several items regarding personnel matters were on the agenda. The Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting and also approved reclassifying the Human Resources Secretary II to Office Manager. Additionally, the Court approved Precinct 4 Road & Bridge requests to add a Foreman II position and to use discretionary funds for a one-time bonus.
Fiscal year 2025 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office were approved.
During informational reports, this year’s scholarship recipients were announced.
The Polk County Commissioners Court Bobby Smith Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, the county’s delinquent tax collection firm, provides $6,000 annually to be divided equally among the school districts in Polk County. Those receiving this scholarship include: Ainsley Barker, Big Sandy ISD; Vriseida Aguilar, Corrigan-Camden ISD; Arly Balbuena, Goodrich ISD; Gavin Nichols, Leggett ISD; Danielle Dickens, Livingston ISD; and Manton Farrar, Onalaska ISD.
The Law Enforcement Scholarship, sponsored by Management and Training Corporation which operates the IAH Secure Adult Detention Center, provides $10,500 annually to be divided equally among the school districts in the Polk County to students seeking a career in law enforcement. This receiving this scholarship include: Jerrod Garner, Big Sandy ISD; Arlette Trejo-Alamilla, Corrigan-Camden ISD; Austin Brock, Livingston ISD; and Lilith Maichetti, Onalaska ISD. Neither Goodrich ISD nor Leggett ISD had graduating seniors entering law enforcement.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Retired United Methodist Minister Ernie Turney opened the meeting with prayer.
