By MATT HOPF
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
The Adams County Board learned Tuesday that an arbitrator had ruled against the county after an employee represented by the Machinists Union filed a grievance over the 73 percent increase in premiums for dependents. Last August, the County Board agreed to raise premiums that are paid by the county employees for their dependents to $762 a month, up from $440. County Board member John Heidbreder, R-4, who announced the decision to the board members said the county is supposed to sit down with union officials and negotiate on the dependent premiums. An employee represented by the Fraternal Order of Police also filed a grievance against the county over the increase in premiums. However, the decision of the arbitrator has yet to be released. The county does pay $100 a month for each employee with dependent coverage meaning the total cost for the dependent is $862 a month. Individual coverage is $597 a month, which the county pays. Finance Committee Chairman John Johnson, R-4, declined to elaborate on the grievances filed. "We don't bargain in the media," he said. The Finance Committee is currently obtaining bids for medical insurance and has provided bid packets to five companies who are expected to bid for employee health insurance. The bids are due back Aug. 3. In other business, board members approved extending the lease for the former Health Department space it has with the Salvation Army through May 31, 2013. The Salvation Army can terminate the lease effective Dec. 31 upon giving the county 30-days notice. Family services is being housed in the space until the Salvation Army's new $2.2 million emergency shelter and family services building opens at the northeast corner of Fifth and Broadway. The emergency shelter continues to operate at its temporary location on Quincy University's North Campus. Rent for the space is $4,500 a month. The board also heard that the county's cash flow was stable enough that $1 million in tax anticipation loans did not have to be taken out. Members voted in May to take out up to $1 million from First Bankers Trust if necessary to help with cash flow. Board members also: º Approved a resolution to purchase a culvert from Coady Supply Company of Springfield for $5,129. It will be installed on North 2700th Avenue, a half-mile west of Ill. 96. º Awarded a contract of up to $2,500 to Poepping, Stone, Bach and Associates for an asbestos survey of the old Adams County Youth Home, 201 N. 54th. º Approved election judges for both parties for the November presidential election. º Approved the appointment of Mike Kindhart as a trustee to the Payson-Fall Creek Fire Protection District. º Approved a temporary alcohol license for the Adams County Fair being held July 26 through Aug. 1. -- mhopf@whig.com/221-3391
