Leadership Returns for Effingham County Board

(THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR THE FOUR EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS RE-ELECTED IN NOVEMBER TOOK PLACE MONDAY BY EFFINGHAM COUNTY CLERK KERRY HIRTZEL {back to camera}. LEFT TO RIGHT STANDING ARE DAVE CAMPBELL, JIM NIEMANN, DOUG McCAIN AND KAREN LUCHTEFELD)

The same leadership team was returned to their positions on the Effingham County Board Monday.

Jim Niemann was re-elected Chairman and Dave Campbell was re-elected Vice-Chairman. Both of the men were re-elected without any opposition.

Niemann told his fellow board members, "I appreciate the confidence" they showed in his re-election.

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel swore in the four board members re-elected in November; Niemann, Campbell, Karen Luchtefeld and Doug McCain, the only one to face opposition in the balloting.

The Board also approved committee assignments.

In regular business, the Board awarded health insurance coverage to Health Alliance through Weis Insurance Agency of Effingham. The original quote on coverage included a whopping 45% premium increase. Niemann Monday said, "In the 11th hour, we negotiated something that will not be as devastating." 

The package approved includes a 14% hike in premiums on the County side on the HSA side, a 12% hike for employees on the HSA side and an 8% increase for employees on the traditional side. The deductible went from $500 to $2,000 on the traditional side, and from $2,000 on the HSA side to $2,600. Also, the $80 contribution that's been paid by the County is going to help cover employee premiums, rather than into the employees' HSA accounts.

Open houses are scheduled for employees if they plan to participate in the health plan; those are scheduled for December 3rd, 4th and 5th; at the County Office Building on the 3rd and 4th and at the Health Department on the 5th.

The Board Monday also amended the county ambulance ordinance recently approved regarding emergency ground ambulance service. Niemann said of the change necessary Monday, "It was my fault; it was in an ordinance we'd entertained last summer; this is to change it back."