(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors,today (Wednesday), received an update from County Auditor Mandy Berg, with regard to County Employee Health, Dental and Vision Insurance rates. As for health insurance, Berg says it’s recommended they stay on the same plan, based on the rates.

She says there is an option for a PPO plan, but it comes with a 14% increase, and doesn’t carry a lot of benefits. The Dental plan saw a 2.99% increase, while the rate for Vision coverage is unchanged, and remains a 50-50 cost share, County/Employee. The Board voted to approve a 5.6% increase in the rates to allow 5% for their Insurance reserve fund.

Berg also presented documents for Board Chair Steve Shelley to sign, with regard to an Opiod Litigation settlement agreement the State is part of. Berg said Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson has reviewed the documents and recommended the Board Chair to sign them.

All 99 counties have to sign-on to the agreement in order for the State to get all of its allotted funds. Cass County will act on authorizing participation during Thursday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Following discussion, the Adair County Board authorized Board Chair Shelley to sign the documents.

Berg says there are certain items and/or services the County’s share of the funds can be used for, especially Emergency Medical Services and related matters. The Board also authorized an agreement with Cott Systems for the digitization of certain county records, but it did come with a slight increase from what the Board was told during their meeting last week.

And, they discussed the use of American Rescue Plan funds (1st half payment) for COVID relief, including improvements to parks and recreation sites and for the County Fair. They voted to approve Board Member Matt Wedemeyer’s suggestion on how those funds are dispersed.