GENESEE COUNTY LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers cut retirees’ health care bill
BATAVIA — The Genesee County Legislature on Wednesday began what may become an ongoing process to reduce taxpayer costs for growing numbers of county retirees receiving health care benefits.
The Legislature approved a switch from the county’s self-funded insurance to a new Medicare Advantage private insurers fund. It is, officials say, a start on revamping an increasingly costly self-insurance plan.
While only 35 retirees — the only group over 65 — are affected, the annual savings will reach $200,000. Last year, the county paid $308,000 in health care costs while receiving $195,000 in premiums from these seniors.
Retirees have the option of switching or paying higher premiums to the county plan. They will lose dental coverage, but that was a small part of the county’s medical and dental benefits coverage.
The switch is effective July 1 and will save the county $100,000 in the final six months of 2009.
The legislators also approved a nine-month extension, beginning May 1, of providing administrative services to the Orleans County Youth Bureau. Orleans will pay $14,400 for the period while Genesee’s expenses are pegged at $3,500. Genesee’s Youth Bureau will handle the service, which consists largely of distributing grant funds from government and private agencies.
The Legislature also agreed to accept $249,613 in state funds for the county bureau charged with assisting in job creation and training.
The bureau was also given permission to hire two full-time temporary summer youth assistants to be funded by a state grant.
In other matters, the legislators:
• Authorized submission of an application to connect the county’s nursing home to a state power grid to lower costs and meet increased demands from the facility.
• Agreed to accept $96,726 from the state Department of Health for one year to finance a local drinking water enhancement program.
• Approved the county’s annual $8,100 funding to the county fair. The money is marked for 4-H premiums and judging at the summer exposition.
• Voted to replace the roof of a historic former city building that now houses the history department. Grove Roofing Services of Buffalo was awarded the $264,000 contract.
• Honored a dozen local Ameri- Corps volunteers whose five-year presence helping county departments “has been a powerful economic force,” according to the proclamation for National AmeriCorps Week, which is this week.
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