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8. APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM DOLLAR BUDGETS Mr. Baird explained that he had received quite a few calls from retirees, some who live on a very limited income of only $300 to $350 per month. The County has about 115 retirees on our insurance plan and the insurance consultant felt the County was losing money on the charged premiums. However, for those retirees who are over 65, the County's insurance plan is used as a supplemental plan to Medicare. This coverage costs the County over $70 per month, without payment of any claims at all. The proposed increase in rates has resulted in a case where those retirees under 65 were paying 100% and they are now only being billed for 50% of the cost. Mr. Baird then handed out several new options and pointed out that the Florida Retirement System also supplements retirees with a $5 per month insurance allowance for each year of service. He recommended Alternative C which would result in those retirees over 65 paying 50% of the cost and those retirees under 65 paying 100% of the cost. He pointed out that the County has not changed the rates charged to retirees in over 15 years while insurance rates have been steadily increasing. matter. The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in this Bill Gavin, 956 17`x' Avenue, a retired County employee, noted that promises were made to him when he worked for the County and one of those was that when he was 65 or over he would pay $101 per month for health insurance. He waited until he was 70 years of age to retire so that he could pay the $101, which he could afford. He believed you should stick to your agreement for those who are already retired and perhaps increase the fees for those who retire after October 1", 2000. The Chairman asked if anyone else wished to be heard regarding this matter. There being none, she closed the public hearing. BK 114 PG 8 3 8 SEPTEMBER 6, 2000 -12- BUDGET