(file photo)

The Reno County Commission as expected approved 2% across the board increases in pay for all county employees including department heads, appointed and elected officials.

The county approving the increases means that elected officials such as Sheriff Randy Henderson would see his annual salary increase to over 81-thousand per year, County Treasure Clark Miller would see his increase to nearly 68-thousand, County Clerk Sheri Gagnabin to nearly 65-thousand, 500-dollars, and the Register of Deeds, Carol Sallee at just under 62-thousand.

County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan will see his hourly rate as the attorney for the county, go from 114-dollars per-hour to 120.

The county also gave approval a new contract with Blue Cross, Blue Shield for dental insurance for county employees at an annual cost of 196-thousand, 407-dollars. They were the low bid over a Met-Life’s bid of just over 240-thousand and Delta Dental at 248-thousand, 120-dollars.

The county is also looking at starting a wellness program and would be administered through Geneses Health Clubs. Under the plan employees who register would pay 20% of their health care cost with the county picking up 80%. Those who are high risk such as smokers who choose not to participate would pay a higher cost, 30% of their health care cost, while the county would pay 70%. No decision was made on proposal.

The county also approved the holiday schedule for next year which would basically keep the holidays for county employees the same as last year. That came over the objection of County Commissioner Dan Deming who wanted county offices open on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
But, the other two commissioners voted against it after being told taking the Friday after Thanksgiving off was a trade off for President’s Day.