Milford Employees Get New Health Plan
Nine employees of the town of Milford will have a new health insurance plan as of July 1.
Milford Town Council voted Monday night to accept a plan change proposed by Rick Wagner of Rick Wagner Insurance. The change will nullify a 12 percent increase in the town’s cost for the next fiscal year and improve preventative coverage.
In fact, the town will see a four percent – or $6,000 – yearly decrease in premium rates under Medical Mutual of Ohio. Covered employees will see their deductible rise by $500, but their post-deductible, out-of-pocket expenses will be covered at 100 percent — an improvement over the current plan.
To lessen the financial impact of the increase in deductible, council president Doug Ruch proposed that a one-time gift be made to participating employees’ health savings accounts. The council approved $200 to go to single plan participants and $400 for family plan participants.
Pam Kennedy, executive director of the Warsaw Housing Authority and of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, also made an appearance before the council Monday to introduce herself and to bring to the council’s attention two opportunities that are available to Milford homeowners.
Housing Opportunities of Warsaw is a nonprofit partner agency of the United Way of Kosciusko County that participates in its annual Day of Giving effort. On Aug. 15, corporations around the county will allow their employees to spend the day helping to rehabilitate the homes of elderly and disabled low-income residents by washing windows, building ramps, doing simple roofing projects and more. Kennedy asked the council to do what it could to encourage eligible Milford residents to apply for this assistance.
“Every year we have a contingency from CTB here in Milford that participate, but they never get to help in their area. We have a low turnout (of applicants) in this area,” she said.
Forms to request assistance are in the clerk’s office. The deadline to apply has been extended to June 30.
In a matter of old business, the council followed a recommendation from the Milford Redevelopment Commission that it approve an agreement with BRTB real estate holding company regarding on ongoing annexation.
BRTB has already signed the agreement, which is essentially an letter of intent to pursue voluntary annexation by the town of 250 acres of land. As part of the agreement, BRTB agreed to have a Phase I environmental test, an archeological survey and a wetlands delineation performed on the property.
All three are required for marketing purposes. The town plans to develop the land as an industrial park.
Town leaders indicated that completion of the annexation is dependent upon all three evaluations. The council opted to table a vote on the final step of annexation until those studies are completed.
For complete coverage, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.