County Hopes Program Will Improve Health
The Roosevelt County commissioners wish to keep their employees healthy so they renewed a contract with Healthy is Wellness during their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Services provided by the company include onsite service every month, wellness assessment, movement assessment, blood pressure testing, grip strength and HbA1c offered monthly.
The cost of the contract increased from $7,200 last year to $7,500. The county pays half of the cost while its health insurance company covers the other half.
The increase in fees provides for four additional programs.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said usage by county employees keeps growing. He estimates that 25-30 percent of the employees are now involved.
“If you have a healthier population, your deductible will go down,” Oelkers said.
In addition to the standard program, commissioners also approved adding the Muscle First program, which aims to improve overall body composition. The weight management program is a voluntary benefit for employees. Cost for the employees is $199 per month. If the employee has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the service is free of charge.
“We want to encourage employees to do this to get healthier,” Oelkers said.
Commissioners Robert Toavs said such programs might not translate to health insurance costs going down, but they might limit the amount of increases. Also during the meeting, commissioners approved a request for a new pickup for the Disaster and Emergency Services department. Cost of the RAM vehicle is $53,793 from Northern Prairie Auto. The used vehicle will go to the road department.
Commissioners are working with Interstate Engineering to expand on the county’s growth policy. Such a process is recommended to be conducted every five years in order to have success applying for loans and grants.
“We need a lot of input from shareowners,” Oelkers said.
Public surveys for the growth policy will be available on social media or paper copies can be picked up at the commissioners’ office or senior centers.
A pay raise for detention center employee Dahmoniq Ahneman-Wolff was approved.
