General Board Meeting called to order by Chairman Mr. Meyer at 8:54 a.m. Present were Directors Mr. Meyer, Mr. Schloss and Mr. Bettag, Chief Svetanics and Ms. Vincent. Also present were Local #2677 President Captain Dan Bertelsmeier and Lt. Larry Lewellen. Representing Crawford-Butz Insurance Company was Mr. Mike Butz.
Motion by Mr. Schloss to accept the agenda as presented, 2nd by Mr. Bettag, roll call vote, Mr. Meyer aye, Mr. Schloss aye, Mr. Bettag aye.
Captain Bertelsmeier asked Mr. Butz to walk us through the changes he was proposing in explicit detail so that he would be able to take the information to the union members regarding the health savings accounts the Board and Mr. Butz was proposing.
Mr. Butz explained that the new plan would take effect August 1st and that the members would be responsible for their own accounts. The medical deductions taken out through payroll would now be in their own care to be deposited into their own accounts. The new deductibles for families would be $4,000 per year and for singles will be $2,000 per year.
Mr. Butz informed everyone that by Federal Regulations only $6,150 for families and $3,100 for singles are the most that can be deposited in the health savings account per year.
Mr. Butz also stated that the health savings deposits would not be tax exempt as they are now through payroll, but that one would be able to take the tax exemptions after the end of the year when one does their income taxes.
Mr. Butz left meeting at 9:33 a.m.
The Board, Captain Bertelsmeier and Lt. Lewellen discussed ramifications of new plan. The Board will continue the health savings discussion at the next scheduled meeting, July 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.
Captain Bertelsmeier asked the Board if we are still going to hire new employees and the Board answered that we have not given up on the Safety Tax Money and have not received an answer yet to the request we put in writing to St. Louis County as requested. The Board stated that we cannot hire now, but that we are still hoping to do so in the near future.
Board Meeting
July 8, 2010
Page 2
Motion by Mr. Schloss to adjourn general meeting at 10:01 a.m., 2nd by Mr. Bettag, roll call vote, Mr. Meyer aye, Mr. Schloss aye, and Mr. Bettag aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry G. Schloss, Secretary
JGS/pgv