County covered for terror (02/21/06)

The Jay County Courthouse will now be covered by terrorism insurance in the county’s liability insurance policy.

Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr agreed this morning to add the clause at a cost of $243 annually through the company provider, Bituminous Insurance Company.

“If somebody comes into the courthouse and decides to blow up the restrooms, we’ll need this,” Miller said.

“But how are we going to know if it’s terrorism or vandalism?” Theurer questioned.

The additional insurance will pay costs above what the federal government has instructed that it would pay.

Additionally today, commissioners agreed to let county employees enter into a wellness program with the county’s health insurance provider, Principal Financial. The option is not now provided.

Auditor Freda Corwin explained that if 75 percent of county employees decide to join the plan, those employees would pay the premium but would then be refunded the $8 per month additional charge. If less than that number opts for the program it will mean an additional $8 per month payroll deduction.

The wellness program offers additional health tests that are not covered on the general health insurance plan.

Commissioners agreed to provide a survey to all county employees. “I guess if they don’t return the card that means they don’t want it,” Miller said.

Also today, commissioners entered into a contract with the state for maintenance of the statewide computerized voter registration system.

Through the system the state owns the equipment and provides maintenance and the county provides ink and paper to compute votes, Jay County Clerk Jane Ann Runyon explained.[[In-content Ad]]