Allen County Community College will hire a consultant to assist the college as it decides whether to look elsewhere to provide health insurance coverage for its employees.
A consultation contract with Harrington Health Care was approved after ACCC trustees were told that health insurance premiums would rise 30 percent under the college’s current plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.
“The news isn’t good,” said Steve Troxel, vice president for finance and operations.
The 30 percent increase would mean employees enrolled in a family plan would pay more than $1,500 a month, up from $1,189 this year. A single-person plan would cost $488 a month, up from $375.40 this year. As part of its benefits package, ACCC pays up to $450 a month for each employee’s health insurance.
The new rates wouldn’t go into effect until October, Troxel said, which gives ACCC a little time to determine if an alternative plan can be acquired.
With the plethora of health care information out there, Troxel conceded neither he nor anybody else at Allen County had the expertise necessary to determine how to get the best rates for its employees.
Harrington would help the college decipher information, as well as negotiate with insurance companies.
College President John Masterson noted one of the insurance companies Harrington is certain to contact is BCBS, which means their proposal could change for ACCC as well.
In a related matter, the college’s property and workers’ compensation premiums will drop about 4 percent, Troxel said.
TRUSTEES are considering the college’s 2011-12 spending plan, which keeps property taxes on an even keel.
ACCC’s $16.7 million budget depends in part on an ad valorem tax levy of what is forecast at 16.784 mills.
If approved, the owner of a $60,000 house would pay about $116 in property taxes to support the college budget.
The figure does not include what taxpayers will spend to support their respective school district, the county or city or township.
The tax levy may be tweaked slightly in November, when ACCC’s final assessed valuation is determined. It’s currently forecast at $92 million.
College patrons are invited to a budget hearing Aug. 11 to discuss any concerns or questions about the college’s spending plan.
TRUSTEES approved hiring Tosca Harris as ACCC’s next dean of its Iola campus, Ryan Bilderback as director of student life, Bryce Johnson as assistant track and cross country coach and Aubrey Jones as an assistant women’s basketball coach.
Trustees also accepted the resignation of Stacey Lhuillier, business instructor, effective Aug. 1.
Jon Marshall, vice president for academic affairs, told trustees before they hired Harris that 41 applicants filed for the dean’s position.
Still to be filled are a pair of music instruction roles. The college received 74 applicants for those positions, primarily because state cutbacks in funding has forced many schools to cut arts programs. As a result, a number of music instructors “are hungry for work,” Marshall said. Finalists for those positions were interviewed Friday; others will be interviewed Monday.
Marshall said that while Lhuillier’s resignation was approved Thursday, the college had known for some time her planned resignation and had already begun a search for her replacement. Twenty-five applicants have filed, while more are expected. Interviews are planned on July 27.
THURSDAY’S meeting was the first official gathering of trustees since the 2011-12 academic year “officially” started on July 1. Trustees will retain their roles. Spencer Ambler will remain chairman, Harvey Rogers vice chairman, Jenny Spillman treasurer and Jim Talkington secretary. Larry Manes remains as the trustees’ representative for the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, Troxel as board clerk and Robert Johnson II as board attorney. Trustees will continue to meet at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the board room at the ACCC Student Center.
The trustees’ next meeting will be Aug. 11.
