BY DENNIS BARTLOW
COVINGTON, Ind. — Fountain County officials continue to consider joining nearby counties and municipalities in a self-funded insurance trust.
The Fountain County Commissioners heard Parke County Commissioner Jim Meece and insurance consultant Paul Biltimier explain the proposal Monday night. It calls for a 2 percent increase on Fountain County’s current tax rate for the first year.
A commitment from participants is needed at a Nov. 3 meeting in Rockville. Meece said Parke County and the town of Rockville have committed to joining the trust so far.
“I spoke to the Vermillion County Council last week, and I am going to Montgomery County (today),” Meece said.
Biltimier said the benefit of the trust is “you folks would manage it. When you start it, it is yours.”
Fountain County Commissioner Walt Wilson said he would like to see more counties interested in it.
In other business, commissioners:
-- Approved renovating the 2005 ambulance with a new chassis for $84,169 from Donley Safety in Indianapolis. This was an alternate bid. A bid for a new ambulance from Donley was $169,509.
Virginia Schearer, ambulance director, favored the rebuilt ambulance.
“It would save the county a lot of money,” she said.
Donley will provider a loaner during the renovation, which will take about 100 days.
-- Approved asking the county council for additional requests of $285,000 in the motor vehicle highway budget, $41,194 in the cumulative bridge budget and $60,000 for health insurance.
-- Will have Deputy Sheriff Dana Jeffries and Wilson look into a maintenance program for work done at the jail this summer.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Fountain County Commissioners will meet at 8:30 a.m. EST Nov. 2 at the courthouse.
