Who pays for your family coverage ?

Interested Girl · #1 06-20-2009, 07:00 PM

Watchdog group eyes Walton commissioner benefits NWFlorida Daily News

Watchdog group eyes Walton commissioner benefits | county, public, family - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

It seems Okaloosa County is not the only government entity with "Open Government" problems.

Quote:

n January 2007 - without any public vote or discussion - Walton County's top officials and county commissioners received a perk most people only dream of: free health care for their families.

Actually, it's not free. The county's taxpayers have paid thousands of dollars to support the benefit.

Gary Mattison, the county's human resources director, acted in October 2006, apparently with no prodding or consultation, to authorize complete family insurance coverage for three high-ranking county officials and the five part-time county commissioners.

Mattison made "an administrative decision" to take the action he did, according to Karen DeBeauchamp, Walton County's benefits coordinator.

"As human resources director, Gary Mattison has the authority to plan and direct implementation and administration of benefits programs," DeBeauchamp said in an e-mail sent Friday. "The commissioners were informed that their family premium was being paid for by the county as of January 2007."

There was, in other words, no public mention made of Mattison's move and no citizen input into the decision to have taxpayers cover the costs of up to eight ranking county employees.

County Administrator Ronnie Bell, County Attorney David Hallman and Kriss Titus, then director of the Tourist Development Council, all took the family premium payout "in lieu of salary increases," DeBeauchamp said.

The benefit to commissioners, on the other hand, wasn't provided in lieu of a raise. County commissioner salaries are set by the state. Commissioners make $38,500 as part-time county employees.

The family benefits package was discovered when members of the Walton County Taxpayers Association made a routine public records request.

"That just absolutely flabbergasts me," association president Bob Hudson said after finding out the county confirmed there was no public discussion of the matter. "If there's no public record, nothing that says this was authorized, how did this happen?"

The logical person to answer that question, Mattison, is out on medical leave with serious health problems.

Bell, the county administrator, was on vacation last week and could not be reached for any reason, according to his staff.

Commissioners were similarly mum on the issue.

Larry Jones, a county commissioner since 2000, said only: "I'm not aware of any change in coverage."

Kenneth Pridgen, a county commissioner since 2002, declined to return numerous phone calls.

Their extended benefits began immediately upon Mattison's action, in October 2006. Commissioner Sara Comander, who had been elected in 2006, received them upon taking office in January of 2007.

Comander replied via e-mail through a county staff attorney and said nothing specifically regarding the benefits plan.

Commissioner Scott Brannon was also out of town, his staff said. Brannon, who is single, does not presently benefit from the additional family benefits, but he was a commissioner at the time Mattison's "administrative decision" was made.

Cecilia Jones, who was elected to the commission in 2008, said she learned of the family benefits she was receiving when she obtained job-related paperwork.

Commissioners are no different from rank-and-file Walton County employees in that they are provided 100 percent individual coverage for themselves.

The difference comes in the family benefits.

Typically, Walton County employees pay $334 a month for family coverage. The county contributes $159, according to Hudson, who was quoting from the Walton County Employee Handbook.

The employee benefit, Hudson noted, was approved by the commission at a public meeting.

Hudson also calculated what he believes the cost to taxpayers has been since the 100 percent family benefits were extended to county commissioners and the high-ranking administrative staff.

His unofficial estimate: $50,768.

Hudson and the Taxpayer's Association are consulting with an attorney to see what action they can take to halt the family health benefit for the commissioners, Bell and the TDC director.

"It is our position that absent a public record that authorizes the additional benefit, the benefit is being provided outside the legal authority to provide it and should be stopped," he said.

He wondered whether those who received the benefit should be required to pay it back.

Hudson also said he finds it "interesting" the benefit was secured by the human resources director, acting alone "without any involvement by the county administrator or the county commissioners."

"I personally find that hard to understand," he said.

Mattison's action - if it took place without consultation or permission from the county officials outranking him - concerned a couple of experts in public records law. So did his failure to make the action public.

"It's a classic case of a government act that wasn't open and transparent," said Fort Walton Beach attorney Matt Gaetz. "When public funds are dedicated, an open meeting and a public vote are required. I would also say that any position to the contrary ... is the exact mentality that's gotten so many public officials in trouble in this region."

Barbara Peterson, president of the Florida's First Amendment Foundation, also said the action taken sounded questionable, but without a full accounting of "who did it" and "how it was done" she could not say whether a violation of Florida's Sunshine Law occurred.

Here4Good · #2 06-21-2009, 08:24 AM

Good article, and good work (again) by the WCTA.

When do the 2010 budget workshops start?

I loved especially the general evasiveness from the commissioners.

rapunzel · #3 06-21-2009, 08:43 AM

Gary Mattison must be either the ultimate Eddie Haskell or the biggest team player ever to take one for the bosses like that.

A lot of companies do carve out 'golden' benefit packages for the executives. When I worked for Blue Cross, I'd say maybe 5% of companies had an indemnity policy that paid 100% for family coverage. I never saw a small company, governmental, or non-profit set up under such a system.

beachFool · #4 06-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

Here4Good · #5 06-21-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachFool

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

So what? Not following your point. That's it not allowed for watchdogs to be of the same party as the watchees, or that Republicans are not to be trusted no matter who they are, or what?

This entire county is mostly Republicans, to the point that in county politics, party affiliation is meaningless, to me. Saying someone is a Republican in Walton County is like saying they are a carbon-based life form.

ShallowsNole · #6 06-21-2009, 11:01 AM

So we aren't talking about the free family coverage I enjoy since it is cheaper for the county to pay for family coverage for me, than to issue two individual policies for me and da Fuzz? in which if one of us leaves county employment (again), the other has to start paying (again)?

FF 2 · #7 06-21-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachFool

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

Really, you don't think some of those folks are Republican In Name Only? Politicians whether R's, D's or Independents can all be a little less than ethical. Although all these folks are accepting this Benefit, some of them were not on the board when it was began, maybe we should look before 2006 at some of the folks who were on the board at that time. One of them I see may be running for his old seat in 2010. I won't be voting for him, I can assure you of that, we have already moved backward in this county, no sense in taking another step. My opinion only.

Andy A. · #8 06-21-2009, 01:02 PM

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Originally Posted by beachFool

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

Yes, and if we did things as they should be done at the local level, there would be no party denoted on any office that is local in nature. Party affiliation means absolutely nothing at the local level except for the person's personal beliefs. To equate local political solutions to party politics is the height of misunderstanding local issues, IMO.

idlewind · #9 06-21-2009, 01:38 PM

The "rest of the story" will be interesting I am sure.

WCTA · #10 06-21-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here4Good

Good article, and good work (again) by the WCTA.

When do the 2010 budget workshops start?

I loved especially the general evasiveness from the commissioners.

Budget Scrubs begin June 24th. The internal review of budget requests. We will be there.

WCTA · #11 06-21-2009, 02:20 PM

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Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

So we aren't talking about the free family coverage I enjoy since it is cheaper for the county to pay for family coverage for me, than to issue two individual policies for me and da Fuzz? in which if one of us leaves county employment (again), the other has to start paying (again)?

The routine Public records request mentioned in the article by the NWFlorida Daily news was not just made to the Walton County Government - it also included the South Walton Fire District, the Walton County School District, each Constitutional Officer (Clerk, SOE,Tax Collector,Property Appriser, and Sheriff's Office, and South Walton Mosquito Control.

The "special benefit" was only found at the BCC level. All of those agency's other than the School District pay some portion of the cost of "family coverage" and if they paid a portion for one they paid it for all employee's.

A common policy seemed to be if the had two family members that worked within the governing body - then they paid the cost of family coverage. All stated that it saved the taxpayer money to do that rather than paying the benefit for each individual. The premium breakdowns provide showed that to be accurate.

WCTA · #12 06-21-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachFool

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

Our organization is non-partisan and includes individuals of all political parties. Yes many are registered Republican's but how you would now how anyone including WCTA members routinely vote is beyond my me.

There is truly one thing that binds our board and membership and that is fiscal responsibility, transparency and personal accountability of elected officials.

If our organization were not non-partisan and cared about party affiliation of those that are elected to public office, then I guess we would not present our studies and polls, or hold those of our party of choice accountable.

Here4Good · #13 06-22-2009, 06:52 AM

So from the responses here, I guess we aren't really concerned about this, or maybe not surprised? I mean, we've had a post denigrating the WCTA, and that's really about it.

It's OK that these people are so valuable to the county, so irreplaceable, that as part-time employees we give them better benefits than the full time employees?

And it's OK that in fact WE don't do this, but they do it themselves, without telling us? It may be true that two of the current commissoners were not on the commisson when this happened (or is it only one?) but both found out about it as soon as they filled out their new hire paperwork.

Sara Commander replied via a county attorney? Honestly, don't you think that means she is not exactly proud of the entire arrangement?

scooterbug44 · #14 06-22-2009, 09:53 AM

I am upset about it. I don't think families of commissioners should get free health insurance (especially since others don't get that benefit) OR that people should be able to make executive decisions that cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

wrobert · #15 06-22-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachFool

Before we applaud the Walton County Taxpayers Association don't forget that most of that organization votes solidly Republican and those officials are all Republicans.

I would think then we should be commended then for our obvious commitment to taking a non-partisan look at open government.

FF 2 · #16 06-22-2009, 03:11 PM

You are commended, thanks. But remember the local politicians for the most part are Republican, even if in name only.

scooterbug44 · #17 06-22-2009, 03:18 PM

Enough already!

I don't care if the people/group that brought the issue to our attention are Republican, Democrat or green haired purple people eaters. It's still a valid budgetary issue IMO.

If a republican has a good idea, it is still a good idea. If a democrat notices a problem, it's still a problem. Half our problems are because we are so busy squabbling w/ the other party and pointing fingers we can't see the big picture or get anything done.

wrobert · #18 06-22-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF 2

You are commended, thanks. But remember the local politicians for the most part are Republican, even if in name only.

I do agree. And that is what I found so disappointing on this particular issue. You guys have no idea what has been going on as I was the lead on this particular project and tasked with getting the records. Stuff I do all the time without a thought or a problem. It sure has caused me to think about things a bit differently here lately.

Interested Girl · #19 06-22-2009, 05:52 PM

It is very disconcerting, in these trying times, to hear about government officials getting special financial benefits when the rest of us are tightening our belts and the commissioner's are looking everywhere else for savings and just skipped right over their litttle secret.

If these benefits were so deserved by this "group" wouldn't you think the people PAYING FOR THEM should get a chance to study the issue and make their feelings known.

Of course this did not happen !

I am just disappointed that these individuals denied us of the right to voice an opinion.

rheffron · #20 06-22-2009, 06:54 PM

This is just another symptom of our broken health care system. This inequity will continue if our elected leaders do not pass some sort of health care reform this year. If it does not happen this year, it will not happen for many more years.

idlewind · #21 06-22-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Enough already!

I don't care if the people/group that brought the issue to our attention are Republican, Democrat or green haired purple people eaters. It's still a valid budgetary issue IMO.

If a republican has a good idea, it is still a good idea. If a democrat notices a problem, it's still a problem. Half our problems are because we are so busy squabbling w/ the other party and pointing fingers we can't see the big picture or get anything done.

It is insane to think that because Republicans are in the majority that the rest of us cannot/willnot check up on them. If only the Democrats would be as diligent in checking on their people.

idlewind · #22 06-22-2009, 09:05 PM

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Originally Posted by rheffron

This is just another symptom of our broken health care system. This inequity will continue if our elected leaders do not pass some sort of health care reform this year. If it does not happen this year, it will not happen for many more years.

This has zero to do with our "broken" health system. It has everything to do with local politics.

If our "leaders" pass nationalized health care we will not only have a "broken" health care system but will have completed the bankrupting of our nation. I pray that someone in Washington comes to their senses and realizes that you cannot spend trillions of dollars that you donot have, no matter how noble the cause.

rheffron · #23 06-23-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idlewind

This has zero to do with our "broken" health system. It has everything to do with local politics.

If our "leaders" pass nationalized health care we will not only have a "broken" health care system but will have completed the bankrupting of our nation. I pray that someone in Washington comes to their senses and realizes that you cannot spend trillions of dollars that you donot have, no matter how noble the cause.

I did not say anything about National Health care. I said reform which could include a government option. We cannot live with 20% cost increases every year. It should be a Bi-partisan solution.

Just Curious · #24 06-23-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rheffron

I did not say anything about National Health care. I said reform which could include a government option. We cannot live with 20% cost increases every year. It should be a Bi-partisan solution.

What has the government done that gives you the confidence that having a "government" option will help anybody?

Here4Good · #25 06-23-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Curious

What has the government done that gives you the confidence that having a "government" option will help anybody?

I just want the same option my "government" has: free health insurance for my entire family.

ShallowsNole · #26 06-23-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I don't care if the people/group that brought the issue to our attention are Republican, Democrat or green haired purple people eaters.

That's the party I need to belong to. (Joking, but almost serious.)
Scooterbug, you have a way with words, and I love you for it.

doxiegirl · #27 06-24-2009, 09:04 AM

It apparently is only free for the commissioners and a few highly paid employees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here4Good

I just want the same option my "government" has: free health insurance for my entire family.

beachFool · #28 06-24-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here4Good

So what? Not following your point. That's it not allowed for watchdogs to be of the same party as the watchees, or that Republicans are not to be trusted no matter who they are, or what?

This entire county is mostly Republicans, to the point that in county politics, party affiliation is meaningless, to me. Saying someone is a Republican in Walton County is like saying they are a carbon-based life form.

I like the WCTA but most of their members support Republicans and most of the guilty are Republicans.

As far Republicans "not to be trusted"...

surely you jest.

rheffron · #29 06-24-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Curious

What has the government done that gives you the confidence that having a "government" option will help anybody?

They do a fair job at playing Army just off the top of my head.

idlewind · #30 06-24-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCTA

Budget Scrubs begin June 24th. The internal review of budget requests. We will be there.

Can you give us a report on how the scrubs went today? Who was involved and what was decided?