Commissioners Approve Health Insurance Renewal

After some discussion, Roosevelt County commissioners approved the renewal of their health insurance plan with Joint Powers Trust during their meeting on Tuesday, May 3.

When the topic was opened, Commissioner Duane Nygaard said, “From the experience that I’ve had, I don’t know if we want to keep it.”

Commissioner Gary Mcdonald agreed with the concerns of service.

The monthly rate increase will be $86 or 7.5 percent for each employee per month. Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said the increase is lower than some other counties have experienced.

Oelkers suggested that the county contacts the Montana Association of Counties in the fall in order to get another health insurance bid for next year.

Commissioners approved the motion to renewal health insurance with Joint Powers Trust.

Also approved was the DUI Work Plan for fiscal year 2022-2023. A.J. Allen of the Roosevelt County DUI Task Force said by law the work plan needs to be approved and then submitted to the Department of Transportation each year.

According to information in the DUI plan, the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office conducted 327 impaired driving related stops in 2021. Of those stops, 10 were in eastern Valley County. The city of Wolf Point Police Department averaged one stop per quarter in 2021 compared to one stop per month in 2020.

The Montana Highway Patrol averaged 14 stops per month in 2021 compared to 18 stops per month in 2020. From December 2021 through February 2022, the number of stops has doubled.

According to the work plan, Roosevelt County continues to be challenged with: DUI offenders; minors and underage in possession of alcohol; illegal alcohol sales; and occupant safety and restraint issues.

Commissioners accepted the resignation of fair board member Dana

Salivar of Bainville.