MSC News

MSC News National Headlines Sports Top Headlines CBS US News CBS Technology

Mound City Council Renews Health Insurance Policy

By Matthew Leaf

10/18/2012

(KTNC) - Mound City Aldermen approved a motion to renew the city’s group health insurance plan a month early during a special meeting Wednesday morning.
The city’s plan, through Blue Cross Blue Shield, normally comes up for renewal on January 1st. After meeting with Blue Cross agent Tim Becks, aldermen agreed to a December 1st renewal date and to lock in the rate for the next two years.
The decision was made after the company told the city they anticipate a rate increase of 20-to-50 percent for more than one-third of their small employee groups in January 2014.
By renewing early, the Mound City Council locked in a premium rate increase of 8.9-percent this coming December, and a rate cap of 9.9-percent for the December 2013 renewal.
In other business during the special session, Mayor Chris Krueger told the council he’s been asked to explore whether Mound City could implement a tax on motel rooms. Mayor Krueger said the state legislature would have to approve legislation specifically granting the city the authority to put the issue to a vote of the people.
The tax revenue from a hotel-motel tax is to be used for tourism purposes, but some laws allow for other uses. Mayor Krueger suggested the city could hire an economic developer to promote Mound City.
There are several state laws in Missouri that give specific cities and counties the ability to impose a hotel-motel tax. And while several of the laws don’t name the cities specifically, it’s unlikely that Mound City would qualify to use the tax under existing law.
Alderwoman Kristine Gibson met with architect Terry Clark regarding the pool bathhouse roof. Clark will have a cost estimate prepared for the November 8th meeting.
At the bequest of Beth Brown, a memorial fund has been established for the Mound City Pool bathhouse renovation project. The funds will be placed into a separate escrow account in the Pool fund and be earmarked for the project.

You will need to be logged in to leave a comment.

Please Login

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.

Click here to review our Terms of Use.