Franklin BOC Votes To Provide Health Insurance Option For Commissioners

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Beginning in January, Franklin County Commissioners will have the option of signing up for county health insurance.

Despite ongoing objections from two commissioners, at their regular meeting Monday, Commissioner David Strickland motioned to offer the insurance.  In his motion, Strickland emphasized the coverage was not mandatory.

Strickland’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Bob Franklin.

During discussions, Commissioner Jeff Jacques again said offering health insurance to the board was a violation of the county’s own policies.

Calling the insurance benefit, “a gratuity” for the board, Jacques said taxpayers in his district are against the idea.

“The public feedback I have gotten has been overwhelming in favor of the county taxpayer not paying for us as Board of Commission members and part-time employees of the county paying for our health insurance,” he said.

Commissioner Clint Harper also cited the county’s own employee handbook that says health insurance is only for full-time employees.

“So, we’re immediately, after adopting a new handbook, violating that handbook,” Harper said. “It is the most self-serving vote I’ve ever been part of on this board. I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from county citizens and not one said it was good idea. Not one.”

Harper also noted the tough economy and the board’s decision to make cutbacks across every department.  He also noted that while the plan was advertised in the local paper, the board never opened the idea up for a public hearing.

“You didn’t have to open it up for a public hearing so you didn’t,” he said.

Jacques agreed and said the board is violating its responsibility to the taxpayer by approving the health benefit for commissioners.

“It is our task as a board and governing body to address issues that impact the county as a whole,” he said. “There should never be a time when we are sitting up here taking actions that affect impact us affirmatively or benefit us exclusively and the general taxpaying citizens.”

But Commission chair Thomas Bridges said offering health insurance to the board is common in other municipal and county governments across the state.

“I went to the state and checked with the ACCG to see how other counties did their health insurance,” Bridges said. “I found very, very few that did not give their commission options to opt in. This is not self-serving for Thomas Bridges because Thomas Bridges is not going to opt in for the health insurance.  So, I’m neutral on that decision and I will not be making it self-serving.”

Bridges also noted both the City of Royston and the City of Lavonia give their city council members the option of taking city paid health insurance.

After hearing from the board, Bridges called for the vote and it passed 3 to 2 with both Commissioners Jacques and Harper voting against.