Insurance Woes Continue
Having voted July 23 to pay $19,000 to settle its account with West Texas Rural Counties Association Medical Pool, Glasscock County on Aug. 13 reluctantly agreed to pay another $1325 toward that same effort. Having thought it had paid all it owed, the county was served notice that it, and all other entities in the WTRC pool, owed the extra money.
Commissioners also discussed whether to join the newly revamped Texas Association of Counties health insurance pool, or to seek independent coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said he thought it useless to try for independent coverage, since the court had done that last year, and found that no one but TAC would insure the county’s retirees, which the county court considers essential. Nevertheless, the court asked agent Shelby Hall to check again with BCBS, since they believe the TAC pool coverage is too expensive for the benefits it offers.
The court also will have to decide whether they want to use an insurance agent, at an increased cost of seven percent in their new insurance plan, or do without one.
Extension Agents’ Reports
Steve Sturtz and Warren Multer presented reports of their organizations’ activities in recent months. Highlighting the reports were increased numbers of kids in 4-H programs, 325 animals vaccinated at the summer rabies clinic, community center progress, a planned seminar on alternative income through wildlife, a possibility for a district agronomist, a Sept. 11 crop tour, research into conservation tillage, salinity management and better use of water. Multer reported that some 90,000 acres of cotton were originally planted in the county this year, and only 23,000 irrigated acres still exist, in varying degrees of quality.
The court discussed continuing problems with an ambulance which has too little power, but has no other problems. A turbo-charger for the engine was considered, but Dierschke said his research indicates that is not a good solution. Commissioners seemed to agree that a new Ford power stroke engine is the best option, but no action was taken.
Three used county cars were discussed, and Dierschke is looking into selling or trading them for a used car for general use.
Commissioners, at an earlier meeting, discussed problems with keeping up with road crew hours worked and vacation time, since the men now move between precincts.