Dec. 24—VALPARAISO — Federal {dollars} from the American Rescue Plan Act got here within the nick of time for Porter County’s medical health insurance fund.
Earlier than federal cash was used, there was simply $13,000 within the fund, County Auditor Vicki Urbanik instructed the County Council. The county was on the point of having to disclaim funds for lack of cash within the fund, she mentioned.
The $1.6 million in ARPA {dollars} permitted by the council final month and the Board of Commissioners this month ought to stabilize the fund, Urbanik mentioned.
“We have now to actually, actually watch this fund to verify it does not go down,” she suggested the council.
“The commissioners are doing what they’ll, however we now have to actually watch the income facet,” she instructed the council. The commissioners employed GIS, a neighborhood insurance coverage agency, to assist negotiate with insurers to carry down premiums. As well as, the commissioners organized for a clinic to supply care at low or no price to staff and their households, which has additional pushed down prices for the county in addition to benefiting staff.
Even with these efforts, Urbanik mentioned, “Claims preserve coming in. Individuals preserve utilizing our medical health insurance program.”
“This has been a fund that has been high precedence for me ever since I stepped in right here in 2015,” she mentioned.
Urbanik’s remarks got here in an extended report back to the council, her ultimate one as auditor. She will likely be succeeded by Republican Karen Martin.
The basic fund needs to be one other huge concern for the council. “Please maintain the road on further appropriations,” Urbanik suggested.
If the county’s money stability, or working margin, will get all the way down to $9 million, that is an issue, she mentioned, as a result of the county has to come up with the money for to pay bills till the following tax draw. In any other case, it must pay curiosity on a tax anticipation warrant, the federal government equal of a payday mortgage.
“Should you draw it down an excessive amount of, you understand what is going on to occur,” she mentioned. “I simply need to be a mother and provides that recommendation.”
Serving to the county is her workplace’s efforts in figuring out ineligible homestead credit on houses within the county. She expects the county to realize a further $100,000 because of this.
“The basic fund might be the healthiest it is ever been,” council President Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, mentioned. That is regardless of spending about $70 million on county amenities and infrastructure over the past a number of years, he famous.
The council additionally has an extended checklist of boards with citizen members to nominate for 2023. The deadline is Dec. 30. Click on on the County Council tab on porterco.org or go to the council workplace on the Porter County Administration Constructing in downtown Valparaiso.
Individuals involved in being thought-about for a board place could go to the Porter County Council workplace, 155 Indiana Avenue Suite 207, Valparaiso, to acquire an utility. Functions can be generated on the Porter County web site at porterco.org below the County Council tab.
Sure necessities, equivalent to residency, and/or sure political get together affiliation, have to be met.
The council will appoint members to the Porter County Redevelopment Fee; Alcoholic Beverage Fee; Porter County Property Tax Evaluation Board of Appeals; and the Chesterton, Porter and Valparaiso financial improvement commissions.
The commissioners have a Jan. 6 deadline for citizen appointments. Go to porterco.org or the commissioners’ workplace on the Porter County Administration Constructing. Except in any other case specified, no political affiliation is important.
Up for grabs are seats on the Alcoholic Beverage Fee; Board of Well being, have to be Republican; Conference, Recreation & Guests Fee; Plan Fee, have to be Democrat; PTABOA; Redevelopment Fee; and Stormwater Advisory Board.
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