Columbiana Co. workers to pay part of insurance premiums

County workers haven’t been paying for insurance.

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — Columbiana County employees will start paying part of their medical insurance Jan. 1.

The county commissioners announced the change Wednesday during their meeting.

Penny Traina, chairwoman of the commissioners, said the move followed a 10-percent hike in the county’s health-insurance premiums for this year.

County workers have not been paying contributions toward their health-care costs, according to the commissioners.

The board decided to pass on half of the 10-percent increase to the workers.

“We have to be good stewards” of the county’s money, Traina said.

Informational meetings took place with employees along with an open-door policy to answer any questions. Traina said she had not received any negative feedback.

The move will affect about 429 county workers, said Sherry Wilson, the commissioners’ clerk.

For a single worker, the contribution will be $19 a month toward a total monthly premium of $384. The highest category is for a family plan that calls for a $68 monthly payment toward a monthly premium of $1,372.

The county government is self-funded, which means it pays most of its insurance costs directly instead of paying through a private company.