City council OKs rural water hook-up
The City of Marion will continue to offer a 50 percent co-pay for employees with family insurance, but increasing premiums may make that option unavailable in the future.
Commissioners Monday approved the least expensive Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance option offered to the city. However, that "least expensive option" included a 30.5 percent increase.
"A 30 percent increase was what I'd anticipated and funded in the budget," said City Administrator Dave Mayfield. "I'm really dreading what's going to come next year."
The new Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance begins March 1.
The city pays the cost for an employee's single health insurance premium, then offers various options for employees to chose including employee-child, employee-spouse, and family insurance, with family coverage being the most expensive.
The city currently pays 50 percent of the family policy. With the insurance approved Monday, that co-pay amounts to an additional $4,596 increase.
Baseball-softball
If commissioners have any ideas on ways to make the city's baseball and softball program a money-making proposition or even a break even proposition, Rodney Richmond would like to know.
Presenting the REC Commission report, Richmond said the program had an approximately $13,000 deficit last year. Expenses were $23,400, while the program took in only about $10,000.
Although participation fees will increase to $25 and $35 this year, and the commission will ask sponsors to increase their support, the program will still run in the hole, he said.
"We'd have to charge kids $105 apiece to play," Richmond said. "And in some places, kids pay that to play."
"That would keep some from playing," commented Mayor Eloise Mueller.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot said that although it's expensive, the program is a good way to keep a large number of kids involved.
Richmond said the REC Commission has tried to move to an all-volunteer system. At times in the past, some coaches have been paid. That no longer happens.
As for other programs, Richmond said they have been very successful and well received. In particular junior wrestling which finishes up in March, craft classes, Biddy Basketball, and the dance team — which drew record numbers. The recent community theater play was well received, although attendance was down, he said.
In other matters:
— Commissioners approved the January utility billing report. Becky Makovec reported within the last two weeks the city had received a payment from a bill that was more than 1 1/2 years old.
— Commissioners approved a $19,000 transfer from the general administration fund to the recreation fund.
— Commissioners approved warrants amounting to $214,120.58 which included a sales tax bond payment, electric bond payment, and other special payments.
— Commissioners approved payroll amounting to $22,703.68.
— Commissioners acknowledged a letter from Linda Ogden with Communities in Schools thanking the city for its $1,000 show of support.
— Commissioners heard from Harvey Sanders, public works director, his crews have been working on flooded sewer lines, and some will need to be replaced. Also, they have installed a new breaker box in the library, laid a new water line to the new duplex at Denver and Coble streets and laid a new sewer line to the new home under construction on Fink Street.
— Michel Soyez, police chief, said his department has been conducting various presentations for younger kids.
— Janet Marler, city librarian, said Amy Rasmussen is a new employee at the library, and several programs will be held there in upcoming weeks.
