Why Are County Employees Paying Nothing For Their Insurance?
According to reports this morning in the Budget Committee Meeting presently county employees pay nothing for their medical insurance. They pay for family members. This year the premium for the county was approximately $900,000.00 with an expected increase of 4% next year.
Is it time to start requiring county employees to pay a portion of their medical insurance? Shouldn't there be a prorated system in place so that at least a portion of those premiums would be paid for by the highest paid employees?
Allen Barrett
Is it time to start requiring county employees to pay a portion of their medical insurance? Shouldn't there be a prorated system in place so that at least a portion of those premiums would be paid for by the highest paid employees?
Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 10:51 PM
42 Comments:
In this day of exhorbitant insurance premiums, it is ridiculous that the county employees do not make some sort of contribution for their health insurance. Then, they work 7 hours a day for a 35 hour work week and get paid good money and have a ton of time off to boot and cry that they are underpaid overworked and crowded??? How so??? Every office has more employees that it has ever had and our county has not grown and we have put in automation to help get the work out. Does this make sense to everyone but me?
And you wonder why there's so much nepotism here? and generations of families working for county? and in-laws and out-laws and cousins and wives and brothers. It's the place to work - taxpayers are pretty good employers. Some families have four and five on the payroll with no worry of recession and job loss.
And so it goes for those who got and those who don't got.
Get your foot in the county door and the commissioners will take care of you for life as long as you're related. And some folks still have questions about the need for a county charter, my, my, bless their little hearts.
Well not all county employees work only 35 hours a week. My husband works for the county and usually works over 40 hours a week and earns every penny of what he makes plus the benefits that he gets.
No he is not related to anyone who works for the county he got his job on his merits not for his name.
When you make general comments about county employees please be specific about the ones you are referring to-there are many different departments who employee people not just one.
It seems to me that insurance is one of few benefits county employess receive. But, once again, the same old "business as usual" whining from those who are so much smarter than the average bear.
No companies are left in the private sector that dont require employees to make contribution to their health insurance.
The only issue we, as taxpayers should have relative to compensation, is the total package of payment. The best way to determine that is to calculate the total pay per hour & make sure it is reasonable for the area & job requirements.
I doubt any of the grunts working in the county are independently wealthy from their paycheck!
Beyond that, I could care less if they want cash, pension, health insurance, or a savings plan that will give them enough money to quit early & retire! It should be their choice, not mine or someone else's!
Employer provided Health insurance is tax free to the employee. If the premium is $500 a month the tax is zero. If you add it to their check & make an employee taxed a 20%, pay the full amount of the premium, they will pay $100 income tax plus FICA, UC, comp, and all kinds of other employer & employee costs! We both save by paying the insurance for them!
Employees are not abusing medical costs - they are not doctors & can only rely on the professional treatments & meds prescribed to them! I don't know anybody running around with a fake cast on their arm so people will talk to them & ask what happened. Try corporate med scams & corp pharms. If you're old enough & can remember - things were eons better years ago when hospitals etc. were charitable or municipal owned.
Yes, technology & innovation has improved countless things since then mostly COST improvements in clerical, records, procedures, etc., etc. Ever wonder how Bredeson & Frist made so much money off of misery? It's called skimming! Folks like them want you to believe little old ladies with bad joints are stiffing the public. BS
So what happened to the guy in the tax assesors office that hasn't worked for a year but gets full pay.
When Giles County has County Commissioners who have held the same seat for 15, 20, 25, 30 years...they are able to 'get their way' and keep from treating others, not related to them, unfairly. It is called control and power. I think the limit of city or county office for ANY public offical should be two four year terms and no more! No matter if the seat is empty! Also, if it is really 'community' or 'puplic' service, 'they' should NOT be paid to go to meetings....$30 a meeting adds up. If they wanted the position to 'serve' the ppl of Giles County, then it should be REAL service.
5:26
County employees have a mound of benefits when compared to the average worker. Look at the many holidays and vacation days they have. Not to mention an automatic pay raise after 5 years and 10 years.
I agree with 4:28. My husband also works for the county as well as myself. Neither one of us are kin to any of the commissioners or anyone else that matters in this county. We bust our butts for what we have. My husband works 40,50,60 hours a week and sometimes more and is not able to get overtime pay.He has to take that time off. So these people who say county employees work 7 hours a day, 35 hours a week obviously don't know the whole story. Those are probably the hours they get paid for because of having to take comp time so that they don't get paid overtime. The ones of you that are complaining must be the lazy people in this county who don't have a job because you won't get out and get a job. You expect everything to be handed to you!
Mr Barrett if you were a county employee, you would see that as county employees we do indeed pay for family coverage insurance but do you know how much family coverage insurance is? No I don't think you do. Some county employees pay anywhere from $600-$700 a month for family insurance. You must be one of the many people that have TennCare and don't have to pay a dime most of the time. Not even for family coverage. I don't hear you complaining about them. Do you know how many people abuse the TennCare system? They work full time jobs, make decent money, but don't have to pay for their insurance either.There are lots of people who need TennCare and can't get it because of people who abuse the system. It is not fair for county employees to be singled out. So in the future make sure you are clear about which county offices and employees you speak of.
wab..
I hope 8:54's post cleared up another of your misunderstandings. I know your ego took a hit on that one, but look at it as a learning experience and a lesson on humility.
Feb 26 8:41 pm-What??? Are you saying county employees get a raise every five years? Oh my, what a waste, does that mean their pay increase might only be 3-4 yrs behind the actual increase in the cost of living?? The county employees must not be very "patriotic" or they would turn down a raise that comes as frequently as every 5 years; Wouldn't want Giles CO to reward loyalty or experience or anything; People might get the wrong idea if that were to happen!
The 5 and 10 year automatic raises are on top of what may get added annually. OK, I know county employees dont get annual raises every year but there comes a point where some of these jobs have to get capped. There are clerical jobs that are way over paid compared to the private sector.
wab..
Perhaps it's time for you to humble yourself and wash some feet!
To the 26 Feb 8:54 poster.
There is no question that there are great and not so great employees of the county. I have never said nor thought there weren’t. It is an unfortunate thing that there is a very unjust compensation system in place for county employees. Some people are working 35 hours a week and others are working many more than 40 hours each week, some are being compensated at a much higher level than their responsibilities warrant while others carry a much heavier burden but paid less, that is not a difficult reality to understand. Showing up for work on an irregular basis should not justify anything but dismissal certainly not a pay increase. I would dare say that if there are more than three personnel in the departments you and your husband work in there is someone who puts out less effort than someone else. If you have been in your position very long there is no doubt that you have come across some very high paid non-productive county employees.
Giving everyone a pay raise simply because they showed up is not a legitimate reason for a raise. Performance should be the only means for determining who gets a pay raise and that should be well documented.
Now you state that, “The ones of you that are complaining must be the lazy people in this county who don't have a job because you won't get out and get a job. You expect everything to be handed to you!” I’m sure that your frustration is at play in that statement because the reality is that most without jobs aren’t carrying the weight of the tax burden. It’s those with jobs and those who have retired and those who have become tired of paying one of the highest property tax rates in the state who are now fed up and are demanding more accountability for where that tax money goes. Right now there are many in this county who are far from lazy but find themselves without a job. They still have the same financial obligations and are just plain hurting. Should those who have recently lost their jobs be called upon to pay for yet another pay raise for what they may perceive as too many over paid office workers?
Part of what I stated in the topic of this thread was, “county employees pay nothing for their medical insurance they pay for family members. This year the premium for the county was approximately $900,000.00 with an expected increase of 4% next year. Is it time to start requiring county employees to pay a portion of their medical insurance? Shouldn't there be a prorated system in place so that at least a portion of those premiums would be paid for by the highest paid employees?”
This is really a simple concept a person making over $70,000.00 from taxpayer should be able to pay a portion of their insurance premium for example 10%, someone making $40,000.00 might pay 5% while someone making $20,000.00 might not pay anything.
You make some very invalid assumption. Of course I knew employees pay for their families; I stated that in the topic. Of course I knew those premiums were very high for some families.
Another unreasonable assumption was, “You must be one of the many people that have TennCare and don't have to pay a dime most of the time. Not even for family coverage.” Neither I nor my immediate family have or ever had Tenncare. I do have insurance as part of my military retirement but have to pay about 25% that isn’t covered out of my pocket.
You state, “I don't hear you complaining about them. Do you know how many people abuse the TennCare system?
Yes, I understand that Tenncare is one of the most corrupted and abused government programs in the nation not just this state. It is the largest single provider of prescription drugs available on the street. Clearly many who should be receiving Tenncare benefits are not while many who should not are. Keep in mind that Tenncare is the product of corrupt democrat leadership in Nashville. Want some changes then get on the bandwagon for accountability and change the leadership.
I have written letters to the newspaper in several communities across the state about Tenncare, I have spoken with several senators and representatives about the problem and most have agreed. A couple of years ago at the Senior Citizen Center I questioned Sen. Doug Jackson about the growing drug problem caused by Tenncare he responded by denying there was a problem then focused on a need for expanding the program. It’s that kind of attitude that prevents any productive alteration of the program.
So if you want to criticize me that’s fine but please limit your criticisms to the realities that exist and not the perception created from your fantasy. Allen Barrett
to 11:07 I know WAB and he is a humble but confident man who would have no problem washing someone's feet, perhaps you should desire him to wash a little higher so the spot you keep kissing would be a little cleaner.
12:53
Again, a very silly and childish post. I thought you were more intelligent than that. You suggest that your hero is both confident and humble. What a stretch! Oh, be assured that he has more than his share of confidence and feelings of self-worth and importance. But humility is a trait I've yet to see shrouded in arrogance. Have you?
Anonymous, 5:44, I wonder if you are the same busy little beaver who has posted on other threads this afternoon. Please give your obsession with wab's motives a rest and post on topic. Again, let me emphasize that wab is NOT, NOT, NOT a public official. You have personal issues with him, state your name as he does and work it out. Please allow the rest of us to continue grownup discussions on PUBLIC issues. I personally have never met wab, but have seen him at countless meetings attempting to gather information. He then posts his perception and opinions on this venue, and signs his name. Frankly I don't care what his motives are, I am grateful for the info, I am just so baffled by your constant obsession for him. He "doesn't sign my check", so I can read his opinion and ideas or not, because he signs his name. You do have the option of skipping his posts since they bother you so much; which is something you don't allow us to do regarding your posts.Reminding you once again of the rules-Please post on topic!
No, he's NOT a public official, and thank God for that.
Look, if he has a right to get on this blog and call people names and make all kinds of accusations, why is it wrong for me to point that out?
By the way, you too have an option. Don't read my posts.
If you would identify your post with something other than anonymous we wouldn't have to read them before knowing they were from you.
9:00 wab's stalker strikes again-if anybody knows who that his, perhaps you might explain to him/her that this particular thread is about county employees ins, not wab. Comprehension just doesn't seem to be their thing-Also the mature statement that was made, "he gets to say stuff about other people, I do too." (paraphrased) WAB posts about public figures and issues and occasionally defends himself and his views. I would really like to meet this man WAB who scares this other poster so very much. I believe I will introduce myself at the next public meeting.
All county employees are corrupt and don't pay insurance because its FREE!!!
7:47
Yes, every single county employee needs to be investigated for this corruption! Perhaps an investigation will get underway soon. It's about time someone stepped up and called those employees a bunch of crooks!
That's right. How dare those county employees to rip off the taxpayers like that! Something sinister is going on, and I think an investigation needs to start immediately. Any dirt that can be found on any one of them needs to be exposed right here for all to see.
Being is you all know so much about the county employees benefit packages please enlighten me on all those wonderful benefits they receive. I would really be interested in the many benefits provided to them. Please be specific when listing them!
I would also like to know all the benifits the court house employes have.
One of the benefits the fee office courthouse employees have is they get raises when all other county employees dont. Just ask and see if I'm not right. Also ask if Finance Dept. employees got a raise. I may be mistaken, but I believe they did this year. That's not fair at all to other employees like the Tax Assessor's office employees and the Sheriff Dept. Employee. The Elected Officials of those fee offices should not do that. This should be public recond.
If the Finance office employees got a raise it should have been ok'd by the commissioners. They are county employees just like the rest of us. I know Loretta Garner can hire and fire but it dont say she can give raises when the rest of the county employees get zero.
WAB since you are so good at getting information for us, would you check on Finance Office raises?
If I remember right, the fee office employees did not get a raise this year.
I believe the fee office employees have got a raise every year for the past 5 years. Check it out. It's public record. I think that the next election year which is next year, the local newspaper needs to put a questionaire in the paper for persons wanting to run for public office and ask the question "If elected will you give your employees a raise if the County Commissioners vote no raises to all other county employees." It will be interesting to see how our current Courthouse elected officials respond.
Fee offices did not get a raise. I checked.
This thread is about insurance for county employees not raises for one office. I hear all the time about all the benefits county employees get. I asked in an earlier post for someone to list all the benefits none have been posted to date. I guess people really don't know what kind of benefits county employees get except if they work for the county. I get sick of hearing people talk about things they have only heard about and don't know first hand. Why do people jump to conclusion without knowing instead of checking for themselves?
Some of the school systems non certified employee benefits are:
Paid Health insurance for themselves(this does not include family coverage-for that they have to pay at least $650.00)
Other types of insurance are offered but they have to pay for them.
sick days 1 per month employed
personal leave 1 per 120 days worked-do not accumulate
1 vacation day per month worked (up to 12 days-can not take it when they want to)and does not accumulate
certificated employees get no vacation days
Certified employees are paid for 200 days per year. The breakdown is as follows:
180 school days with students
5 inservice days
5 days assigned by the board (parent teacher conferences, so forth)
10 vacation days (which must be taken in the summer)
Certified employees who work 10 months are "paid" for 10 vacation days, they don't take any vacation days off. Only employees who work year around are allowed to take vacation.
I believe that is what I said, "must be taken in the summer", hence the meaning "when school is not in session". I really did not specify between 10 month employees and 12 month employees since that is just common sense.
Don't you understand the difference between taking those ten days as vacation and being paid for them? Maybe the reason you get so much criticism is because you say so much without thinking then try to cover it up instead of just admitting you made a mistake.
Just to set the records straight. The vacation days:
1. Labor Day
2. Thanksgiving
3. MLK Birthday
4. Presidents' Day
5. Good Friday
Those aren't vacation days those are paid holidays.
Maybe because those employees who choose to take the family insurance pay the premiums for everyone else.
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