MMU board hears from insurance co. reps

Members of Naught-Naught Insurance Agency and Mercy Health Plan were present at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Board of Public Works meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, to discuss MyChoice, a wellness program for employees offered by Mercy Health Plan.

A plan was put forth by Employee Relations director Megan Baldridge to give employees incentive to participate in the wellness program, which involves an employee's choice of either a better benefit level, meaning a lower copay, deductible and coinsurance; a lower premium contribution; or a combination of the first two options, according to Baldridge's prepared material.

Employee participation in MyChoice will not increase MMU's costs for employee health insurance, but lack of participation will lower MMU's costs. The switch to Mercy Health Plan is projected to save MMU $26,000 in the first year.

A new phone system for the water treatment plant was discussed. The board has received two quotes on pricing for the system. The quote from Mitel Technologies Inc. in Columbia was $3,160.59 plus $845 for voicemail. From Custom Communications in Sedalia, the quote was $1,470.37 plus $250 for battery backups and $40 for amount of wiring that would need to be put in to the four phones and the intercom system.

Board member Jim Heinzler voted against the motion to accept the bid from Custom Communications.

"We need to save money," he said, adding that no "exotic-type phone system" was necessary.

The motion passed.

The proposed Electrical Impact Fee, which is meant to help MMU by requiring customers to pay for installation of new electrical services and upgrades to existing electrical services, was again discussed. It was noted that "customers making a major investment in the community may ask for a consideration for a waiver of this fee."

The motion did not pass, with Board Secretary Mike Mills saying the language was unacceptable and did not address the previous objections to the Electrical Impact Fee. Vice President Chuck Hird suggested that Mills rewrite the motion for the next meeting, to which Mills agreed.

Knight Hawk Coal Company, the company used to backhaul MMU's coal ash to the mine from which it was removed, has recently raised their rates from $13 per ton of ash to $30.50 per ton of ash. This is projected to mean an $85,000 increase to MMU's annual expenditures for their yearly disposal of 5000 tons of ash. The board is trying to find ways to reduce this cost.

MMU's $10,000-plus contracts with Marshall Saline Development Corporation allows MMU to appoint a representative to MSDC board, said General Manager Kyle Gibbs in prepared material. The time to re-appoint that representative had come, and board members quickly moved to re-appoint Gibbs.

"I appreciate your confidence," said Gibbs. "It's a real learning experience out there."

The board went into a closed session to discuss matters related to personnel.

All board members were present.

The next BPW meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 8:30 a.m.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net