SPECIAL MEETING - September 6, 2016
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 6th day of September A.D., 2016, there was begun and held a SPECIAL MEETING of the Honorable Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following members thereof were present, to-wit:
| HONORABLE RAMON GARCIA HONORABLE A.C. CUELLAR, JR. HONORABLE EDUARDO "EDDIE" CANTU HONORABLE JOE M. FLORES HONORABLE JOSEPH PALACIOS |
HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 2 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 3 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 4 |
and ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., COUNTY CLERK & EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COMMISSIONERS’ COURT of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following proceedings were had, to-wit:
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AGENDA CC REGULAR HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING September 6, 2016 9:30 A.M. |
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NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL MEETING of the Commissioners' Court will be held at the Edinburg Council Chambers 415 W. University Drive, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
1.
Roll Call
All members of the court were in attendance.
All members of the court were in attendance.
2.
AI-56211
Presentation and Discussion on the 2017 Budget.
Mr. Cruz opened opened up workshop #4 by informing that the estimated revenues for 2017 are $193,369,170. Because the recommended budget is a balance budget, the revenues would equal expenditures. Mr. Cruz remarked that the auditor estimated a fund balance for the general fund of $28.5 million, roughly about 14.73%. Additionally, they are estimating about $31 million, roughly about 16% rate. Nonetheless, by statute they have to use the auditor's figures.
Regarding the funding for Road and Bridge, last year the total available was about $17 million. However, this year there's roughly about $2 million dollars more, closed to $500,000 more per precinct. Total revenues would allow to keep about 5% of the road and bridge revenues.
Mr. Cruz explained that the main recommendations respecting to health insurance premiums, is still to increase the Buy-Up plan by 20%. The increase would also apply to the spouse and children tiers as well. An additional $370,000 from the general fund would be require to cover the basic employee increase plan. Mr. Cruz commented that individuals are permitted to switch to the basic plan, if they chose to do so.
Retirees over the age of 65 would be require to participate under Plan A/Plan B. Commissioner Flores questioned Mr. Cruz about the total amount it would cost the county, if they cover retirees. Mr. Cruz explained that right now, it would be over $89 million in claims over 25 years.
Judge Garcia expressed concerns to Mr. Gary Looney over the high premiums of the county health coverage. The judge informed Mr. Looney, that the the McAllen School District which has over 3,000 employees just like the county does only pays $327 for the basic plan. With regards, Mr. Looney explained to the judge that the county's rates are base on claim experiences. Disclosing that in 2007 the county wanted to have better participation plan of dependents on the plan. Hence, there was an arbitrary increase of the county contribution to help offset those expenses.
Commissioner Cantu questioned who the person in charge of analyzing the claims is. Mr. Looney disclosed that Blue Cross Blue Shield is the current administrator. Further, Mr. Looney noted that the county has about $82 million dollars in medical charges per year.
Judge Garcia asked to have a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative next time.
Commissioner Cantu suggested analyzing the expenditures of the older employees.
Mr. Cruz requested the court keeping the premium as is. He'll work on finding new ways to decrease, also wait for the new administrator.
Mr. Cruz opened opened up workshop #4 by informing that the estimated revenues for 2017 are $193,369,170. Because the recommended budget is a balance budget, the revenues would equal expenditures. Mr. Cruz remarked that the auditor estimated a fund balance for the general fund of $28.5 million, roughly about 14.73%. Additionally, they are estimating about $31 million, roughly about 16% rate. Nonetheless, by statute they have to use the auditor's figures.
Regarding the funding for Road and Bridge, last year the total available was about $17 million. However, this year there's roughly about $2 million dollars more, closed to $500,000 more per precinct. Total revenues would allow to keep about 5% of the road and bridge revenues.
Mr. Cruz explained that the main recommendations respecting to health insurance premiums, is still to increase the Buy-Up plan by 20%. The increase would also apply to the spouse and children tiers as well. An additional $370,000 from the general fund would be require to cover the basic employee increase plan. Mr. Cruz commented that individuals are permitted to switch to the basic plan, if they chose to do so.
Retirees over the age of 65 would be require to participate under Plan A/Plan B. Commissioner Flores questioned Mr. Cruz about the total amount it would cost the county, if they cover retirees. Mr. Cruz explained that right now, it would be over $89 million in claims over 25 years.
Judge Garcia expressed concerns to Mr. Gary Looney over the high premiums of the county health coverage. The judge informed Mr. Looney, that the the McAllen School District which has over 3,000 employees just like the county does only pays $327 for the basic plan. With regards, Mr. Looney explained to the judge that the county's rates are base on claim experiences. Disclosing that in 2007 the county wanted to have better participation plan of dependents on the plan. Hence, there was an arbitrary increase of the county contribution to help offset those expenses.
Commissioner Cantu questioned who the person in charge of analyzing the claims is. Mr. Looney disclosed that Blue Cross Blue Shield is the current administrator. Further, Mr. Looney noted that the county has about $82 million dollars in medical charges per year.
Judge Garcia asked to have a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative next time.
Commissioner Cantu suggested analyzing the expenditures of the older employees.
Mr. Cruz requested the court keeping the premium as is. He'll work on finding new ways to decrease, also wait for the new administrator.
Attachments:
3.
Adjourn
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
There being no further business to come before said
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 6th day of September, 2016
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 6, 2016.
Signed this 6th day of SEPTEMBER 2016
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 6th day of September, 2016
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 6, 2016.
Signed this 6th day of SEPTEMBER 2016
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Norma G. Cantu, Deputy