Recommended that Council retain Medical Mutual as insurance carrier : LENNY C. LEPOLA

Harmon recommended that Sunbury retain its current insurance carrier, Medical Mutual, at a new monthly premium of $20,994.

Harmon said Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield has a similar rate, but with higher costs for outpatient diagnostics like MRI’s and CAT scans.

“Anthem’s ER co-pay is more, urgent care is more, drugs are more,” Harmon said. “The premium is low, but when you hit exposure you might be paying out more. I don’t know if it’s worth it.”

Harmon said Medical Mutual is launching a new plan in January that would cost less than the current renewal rate and have additional 100 percent coverage’s with no co-pay, and when the two are combined over the next 12 months they would represent only a 5 percent increase over the last 12 months of health insurance premiums.

“I would recommend that you stay with current plan,” Harmon said. “Wait until the new year and go to new plan with 100 percent coverage and a higher deductible. But I think everyone is happy about Medical Mutual benefits and with the current plan.”

Council president Tommy Hatfield asked Harmon if the village could make what Hatfield described as “an aggressive change” during the policy year mid-term.

“We have a $400,000 to $500,000 problem in our budget over the next two years,” Hatfield said. “Would it be possible to move to a more traditional health care plan where the employees pay the deductible?”

Harmon reminded Hatfield that in Ohio all health insurance carriers distribute unilateral products. The price guarantee is for one year, but insurance companies can opt out of the agreement only because on non-payment of premiums; and the insured can leave a policy at will.

A motion to renew the current Medical Mutual village employee health insurance plan at a $20,994 per month premium was approved.

When the Village of Galena announced it would not use Sunbury Police Department services after the New Year, Sunbury Police Chief Pat Bennett had to reexamine his 2010 budget to make up for the loss of $70,000 in revenue the service generated.

“Meet with (Sunbury fiscal officer) John (Lane) and come back with a financial plan in October on how you’re going to adjust your budget to correct for the $70,000 annual loss from the Galena contract,” Hatfield said. “Get together and see what you can do.”

During his report to council, village administrator Dave Martin said Miller Pipeline crunched 60 feet of sanitary sewer line running under the road on South Columbus Street.

“They dug through blacktop, concrete and brick to get to the pipe,” Martin said. “Columbia Gas will foot the bill; Fee Corp. is doing the work. Unfortunately, it happened on the first day of school and created some confusion, but our wastewater plant employees really stepped up to the plate and police officers did a good job providing traffic control.”

Martin said Chad and Susan Brownfield from Vision Concept Technologies reviewed village telephone billing and proposed a long distance service change that has the potential to save approximately $2,000 per year.

“The current long distance carrier is Embarq, and there is a $200 per month minimum charge for our long distance service,” Martin said. “Chad is recommending we switch to PowerNet Global for our long distance carrier. According to research by Chad and Susan using December 2008 billing information, the Village paid $244.48 to Embarq for long distance. Charges from PowerNet Global for the same volume of long distance would have been $19.96, a savings of $224.52.”

Martin said the average monthly long distance charge to the village for the first eight months of 2009 is $248.18. Based on the rate of usage, a similar savings for each month can be anticipated.

Martin said Margie West from Connections stopped at the village administration office to talk about Make a Difference Day Ohio.

“This year, Make a Difference Day Ohio will be held on Saturday, October 24,” Martin explained. “Ms. West is looking for volunteers, as well as projects for volunteers to complete.”

Martin said he and Sunbury maintenance supervisor Rob Gorley met with a Cherry Street resident about storm water run-off issues that are causing excessive amounts of water in his front yard. Martin said he would revisit the site with Sunbury consulting engineer Wes Hall, CT Consultants, to review the situation and, hopefully, resolve the issue.

Martin also reminded council members that the John Scanlan 5K Memorial Run & Walk being held in memory of John Scanlan, will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 5.

“On site registration for participants will begin at 8 a.m.,” Martin said. “The run will begin and end at the Square. The route has been reviewed by Chief Bennett, and volunteers will be used to aid in traffic control.”

Martin said proceeds from the run will be donated to Big Walnut Friends Who Share.

Martin also said representatives from Big Walnut schools have been in touch with Hall and Martin to begin discussions about utility connections at the new middle school site.

Bishop recommended that new hires be required to get a health exam and drug screen.

Village solicitor David Brehm said village Codified Ordinance 139.29 already stipulates that a “physical may be required.”

“You should look at changing 139 to require a physical exam drug tests,” Brehm added.

Sunbury Village Council meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., third floor council chambers, Town Hall. Council committees meet one hour before regularly scheduled council sessions. All village council and council committee meetings are open to the public.