County hears options on insurance, GPS

McCOOK, Neb. — In preparation for an April 10 bid opening, Red Willow County Commissioners heard from an organization providing insurance to most of Nebraska’s counties.

Larry Pelan of the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association told the board his organization provides insurance for 83 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.

Speaking with the board by phone, Pelan said NIRMA is the direct insurer for everything except health coverage for jail inmates, which is handled by a partner organization.

He said the organization requires a three-year contract with counties, and they are eligible for any rebates after five years of membership.

Commissioner Randy Dean noted that while the board requested bids for all of the county’s insurance coverage by April 10, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will switch from the current coverage.

Later, on Dean’s motion, commissioners pulled and tabled an item from the consent agenda amending the countys medical and dental plans, which may change following new bids in April.

The board discussed ways to provide GPS tracking for county roads and weed superintendent vehicles and ways for county employees to clock in remotely with Brett Warren of 20/20 technologies and Phil Corey of Viaero Wireless.

Options included GPS trackers hard-wired into vehicles or systems using individual cell phones.

A time-tracking system has been purchased for the Sheriff’s Office but is not in operation. Commissioners are expected to make a decision when more information is available.

The board approved $106,827.20 in accounts payable.

At about 10 a.m., the board went into one executive session concerning potential litigation and another to review applications for a full-time truck driver position.

Three candidates were selected for interviews to be conducted Monday.

The meeting adjourned about 10:40 a.m.