Who pays for your family coverage ?

[WCTA]

So we aren't talking about the free family coverage I enjoy since it is cheaper for the county to pay for family coverage for me, than to issue two individual policies for me and da Fuzz? in which if one of us leaves county employment (again), the other has to start paying (again)?

The routine Public records request mentioned in the article by the NWFlorida Daily news was not just made to the Walton County Government - it also included the South Walton Fire District, the Walton County School District, each Constitutional Officer (Clerk, SOE,Tax Collector,Property Appriser, and Sheriff's Office, and South Walton Mosquito Control.

The "special benefit" was only found at the BCC level. All of those agency's other than the School District pay some portion of the cost of "family coverage" and if they paid a portion for one they paid it for all employee's.

A common policy seemed to be if the had two family members that worked within the governing body - then they paid the cost of family coverage. All stated that it saved the taxpayer money to do that rather than paying the benefit for each individual. The premium breakdowns provide showed that to be accurate.

 

[WCTA]

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

Our organization is non-partisan and includes individuals of all political parties. Yes many are registered Republican's but how you would now how anyone including WCTA members routinely vote is beyond my me.

There is truly one thing that binds our board and membership and that is fiscal responsibility, transparency and personal accountability of elected officials.

If our organization were not non-partisan and cared about party affiliation of those that are elected to public office, then I guess we would not present our studies and polls, or hold those of our party of choice accountable.

 

[Here4Good]

So from the responses here, I guess we aren't really concerned about this, or maybe not surprised? I mean, we've had a post denigrating the WCTA, and that's really about it.

It's OK that these people are so valuable to the county, so irreplaceable, that as part-time employees we give them better benefits than the full time employees?

And it's OK that in fact WE don't do this, but they do it themselves, without telling us? It may be true that two of the current commissoners were not on the commisson when this happened (or is it only one?) but both found out about it as soon as they filled out their new hire paperwork.

Sara Commander replied via a county attorney? Honestly, don't you think that means she is not exactly proud of the entire arrangement?

 

[scooterbug44]

I am upset about it. I don't think families of commissioners should get free health insurance (especially since others don't get that benefit) OR that people should be able to make executive decisions that cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

[wrobert]

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

I would think then we should be commended then for our obvious commitment to taking a non-partisan look at open government.

 

[Bob Wells]

You are commended, thanks. But remember the local politicians for the most part are Republican, even if in name only.

 

[scooterbug44]

Enough already!

I don't care if the people/group that brought the issue to our attention are Republican, Democrat or green haired purple people eaters. It's still a valid budgetary issue IMO.

If a republican has a good idea, it is still a good idea. If a democrat notices a problem, it's still a problem. Half our problems are because we are so busy squabbling w/ the other party and pointing fingers we can't see the big picture or get anything done.

 

[wrobert]

You are commended, thanks. But remember the local politicians for the most part are Republican, even if in name only.

I do agree. And that is what I found so disappointing on this particular issue. You guys have no idea what has been going on as I was the lead on this particular project and tasked with getting the records. Stuff I do all the time without a thought or a problem. It sure has caused me to think about things a bit differently here lately.

 

[Interested Girl]

It is very disconcerting, in these trying times, to hear about government officials getting special financial benefits when the rest of us are tightening our belts and the commissioner's are looking everywhere else for savings and just skipped right over their litttle secret.

If these benefits were so deserved by this "group" wouldn't you think the people PAYING FOR THEM should get a chance to study the issue and make their feelings known.

Of course this did not happen !

I am just disappointed that these individuals denied us of the right to voice an opinion.

 

[rheffron]

This is just another symptom of our broken health care system. This inequity will continue if our elected leaders do not pass some sort of health care reform this year. If it does not happen this year, it will not happen for many more years.