Redkey shifting to use Anthem

The town’s new insurance policy will save Redkey several thousand dollars a year.

Redkey Town Council voted Thursday to switch health insurance companies, which will result in about $300 savings per month for the town and lower costs for employees.

It also discussed changing its take-home vehicle policy for police after an officer was involved in an accident in his personal vehicle earlier this month.

Redkey previously used UnitedHealthcare’s health insurance plan, which cost the town $4,474.75 per month in insurance premiums. Council decided to look into cheaper plans after changes to the town’s employee roster brought its health insurance costs down.

Aaron Walter of Barnum Brown Insurance, the town’s insurance provider, told council that a plan from Anthem would cost $4,184.96 per month — saving $289.79 per month or about $3,500 a year. 

Changing the plan would also result in savings for the town employees. The Anthem plan’s maximum out of pocket cost for an individual is $1,000, compared to the previous plan’s maximum out of pocket cost of $7,500.

“That’s a big deal, and it’s something I suggest you take advantage of,” Walter said.

Additionally, the calendar year deductible is $250, compared to $500 in the old plan.

Copays for primary doctor’s office visits, specialists, urgent care and emergency room care are also lower. However, the prescription drug copays increased by $5 to $10 compared to the previous plan.

Council agreed to change its health insurance provider to Anthem. The dental and vision plans will remain the same.

Also Thursday, council tabled a decision on take-home vehicles for Redkey police officers, along with a proposal to amend the police department’s policy on the use of personal vehicles.

Council member Randy May, who was assigned earlier this month to oversee the police department, proposed a policy change that would prohibit on-call police officers from responding to calls using their personal vehicles. Instead, they would be required to drive department-issued cars.

May’s proposed policy change was a result of an accident Jan. 1 involving Chad Ridenour, a Redkey police officer responding to a law enforcement call in his personal vehicle. Because he was conducting town business, council voted to pay Ridenour’s car insurance deductible, up to $2,000.

Town marshal Todd Miller expressed concern with the proposed policy change, stating that it might lead to delays in response times if officers were outside of Redkey and had to switch vehicles. With only three police officers, the department is unable to be staffed 24/7 and has to rely on on-call officers.  

“This is not normal for police departments,” Miller said.

Town attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested that council consider expanding its take-home vehicle policy to avoid questions of liability in any future incidents. That could mean that officers would be allowed to bring their department-issued vehicles home even if they aren’t on-call.

“If they’re going to have to respond off-duty, or on-call, I think they should have a town police car so you don’t find yourself in a hairy situation where you’re fighting over coverage and who’s liable,” Schemenaur said.

Council decided to table the discussion, asking Miller to draft a take-home car policy to look over at February’s meeting.

In other business, council members Erik Hammers, Gary Gardner, John Pierce and May, absent Dottie Quakenbush:

•Agreed to contribute $25,000 of the town’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money toward Redkey’s local match for Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings grant program. Redkey Economic Development Corporation will also give $25,000, bringing the town’s match up to $50,000 for a potential $200,000 project. The roads included in this round’s grant application are Sheridan Street from Meridian to Butler streets, Grandview Avenue from Meridian to Butler streets, Butler Street between Sheridan Street and Grandview Avenue, High Street from Meridian Street to Ash Street, Railroad Street from Ash to Main streets and Oak Street from Main Street to Indiana 67.

•Signed an agreement with engineering firm Fleis and VandenBrink to design a phosphorous removal system at the wastewater treatment plant. The town has a three-year timeline imposed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to begin treating phosphorus at the plant. The first step, an application for construction, is due Feb. 1, with construction on the removal system to start in November. The engineering agreement with Fleis and VandenBrink was $12,800.

•Announced departmental assignments for 2021. Quakenbush, who was elected council president, will oversee the parks and fire departments. Hammers, who was elected vice president, will supervise the water department. Gardner was charged with the wastewater department, while Pierce was assigned the street department. May will oversee the police department.

•Decided to look into setting up a retirement plan for town employees, possibly through the Indiana Public Retirement System.

•Granted two water bill adjustments for leaks beneath homes.

•Paid claims of $218,600.55.