Cost of medical insurance for Garfield County expected to rise

POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) announced expected raised medical insurance rates at their meeting on August 23. Premera, the Washington Counties Insurance Fund vendor who has been providing medical, life, vision, and dental insurance for Garfield County, will be increasing its medical rates dramatically. The estimated 54% increase was caused by higher claims than anticipated, as well as the company underbidding the county’s needs. Life, vision, and dental rates are included in this estimate and will have their own rates of increase or decrease.

The commissioners signed a letter of intent to comply with the Washington State Department of Transportation Title VI Plan. The letter states Garfield County’s intent to not discriminate against any person based on race, color, or national origin.

The BOCC approved resolution 2021-15, a budgeted transfer of $30,000 from the general fund to Solid Waste for operation expenses. The commissioners also signed a janitorial service contract with Moppa’s Cleaning Service for the Public Works Office. They also approved Chairman Justin Dixon to sign a billing statement for a 950 Caterpillar Wheel-loader lease through Summit National Bank for $308,461.

Garfield County Fair Board President Sara Lunsford brought two documents before the BOCC for approval. One was the hold harmless form for participants in the arena games, and the other was a plan for a dog show. Both were approved.

A meeting has been scheduled in the upstairs of the courthouse to discuss uses for the American Rescue Plan funds on August 30 at 2 p.m.