The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.

The Board rescinded a previously approved provider-based 1.5% increase to health insurance premiums for county employees.  The increase was approved after Iowa Governmental Health Care Plan (IGHCP) changed plans from Alliance Select to Blue Choice. However, after further analysis, it was determined that the rate increase would actually decrease the claims ratio. This means under the current 1.5%, the County would be overpaying for health insurance benefits. Therefore, the Board approved no increase in insurance premiums to balance out the claims ratio. This does not affect the original 3% employee portion increase at the County level for the upcoming fiscal year.

County Facilities Manager Brandon Thompson also discussed mowing costs on County-owned properties. Thompson estimates the County will need to spend approximately $6000-8000 for spring/summer mowing expenses. Thompson also informed the Board the County’s grass control equipment is no longer satisfactory. He presented two different lawn mowers for the Board’s consideration. A formal decision on the matter will be discussed at next week’s meeting.

Other approved action items include: a Guthrie County Substance Abuse Prevention Service Grant application; an $847 tax abatement on the property at 908 Grand Street in Guthrie Center; and a contract with Adkins Election Service for Unisyn election equipment, including an annual software license. As a reminder, the Board will no longer meet on Thursdays until discussion begins on the 2019-2020 fiscal budget.