During a series of meetings on Tuesday, March 26, members of Martinsville City Council heard a presentation from the 501(c) non-profit Just Call Granny, quarterly updates from Public Works and Water Resources, and insurance for city employees.
Human Resources Director Travis Hodge explained that Pierce Group Benefits – the city’s current benefits broker – acquired quotes from only two health insurance providers during this year’s evaluation. Both Anthem – the city’s current provider – and Local Choice submitted quotes.
“This year, trends are tending to hover around 10 percent for health insurance benefits,” he said, and added that Anthem’s renewal rate remained unchanged, which is “almost unheard of.”
Last week, the health insurance committee, which includes 12 members from the city and city school division, convened to review the proposals, Hodge said. The committee recommended retaining Anthem as the healthcare provider due to key factors that included the convenience of preserving current benefits, ensuring continuity, and solidifying the city’s current relationship with Anthem.
The city decided to align with the city school system’s approach for the Health Savings Program (HAS), Hodge said, with city employees contributing $60 per month towards the $720 contribution. The annual maximum contribution limits for the Flexfacts HAS will be raised to $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families per federal regulations.
Rates for both Denta Dental and Aetna Vision will remain the same in the upcoming fiscal year, Hodge said.
Colonial Benefits, which offers supplemental benefits through the Pierce Group, will continue to offer disability, medical bridge, critical illness, and term life benefits, he said.
Open enrollment for city employees will begin on May 13 and run until June 7. Representatives will be onsite to assist with enrollment.
“I’m not sure of the last time the city did not have a rate increase,” City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides said. “It’s a big accomplishment. Those incentives, those health checks make a big difference.
She added that the city “will still encourage healthy activities. That’s where the fitness programs are kicking in, and we’re going to be looking because what we’d like to be able to say next year is that we had a rate decrease, which is not impossible. But we’re going to have to make some lifestyle changes.”
She explained that the city received a $40,000 grant for its fitness campaign and is currently seeking an additional grant of $90,000 to construct an outdoor fitness area that will cost around $220,000. Officials are currently considering a location for the outdoor fitness area.
Kendall Davis, the city’s public information officer, announced a call for a 30-day fitness challenge to promote health and wellness. This is Martinsville’s version of “The Biggest Loser.” Four trainers will help 20 participants lose weight and live a healthier life. Other events, such as meal prepping, will be held during the competition period to help transform Martinsville into a healthier community.
In other matters, the council:
*Heard a presentation from Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher, who said there has been an uptick in fraudulent activity in the area. He offered tips for staying safe, such as never giving out financial information to suspicious callers and warning residents not to believe claims that giving out gift cards could offset financial issues.
*Heard from Mandy McGhee, director of finance. McGhee said the city experienced positive growth in several areas during the last part of the fiscal year. The electric fund is at 50 percent of the budget used, sewer at 67 percent, water at 59 percent, MiNET at 61 percent, and refuse at 63 percent.
The Meal Tax resulted in $1,930,221.77, with sales tax making an additional $1,656,293. As of February 29, 64 percent of the General Fund Expenses budget has been used. The General Fund Revenues budget is currently at 67 percent used.
*Heard from Just Call Granny during the work session held before the regular council meeting. Agency representatives discussed the services available for helping grand families and talked about some of their upcoming events.
*Heard officials from both the Public Works and Water Resources departments discuss the services currently provided and the number of workers assigned to each project. The idea of starting to promote jobs from Public Works was addressed as the city has an aging working population.
*Approved a consent agenda that included three items: a reallocation of funds to Public Works, an update on the city’s boards and commissions, appointments/reappointments, and a contract amendment for the “I Won’t Stop Family, LLC” lease.
*Met Richard Phipps, III, a deputy clerk in training.
*Recognized Marie Smith Craig’s 100th birthday.
*Recognized Martinsville as a Bee City.
