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Warner Board of Selectmen Work Session November 3, 2005
Meeting opened at 6:10 p.m. In attendance: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman, and Selectman Richard A. Cook Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen Others present: Wendy Pinkham – Finance Director Martha Mical - Assessing Clerk Judith Rogers – Town Clerk Marianne Howlett – Tax Collector Selectman Cook asked the Finance Director for budget figures on health insurance, the total for salaries and wages plus 3% of that total. Total salary & wages are $1,014,924.00 x 3% = $30,447.00 Health benefits increased by 7.2% for 2006, a change that could be made is toward the mail-in prescription benefit. Presently employees pay $1.00 for 90 day prescriptions, the change would be $3.00 for generic or $7.00 for brand name on 90 day prescriptions, the change would save the Town $1,981.00. Employee contribution figured at 3% for the current plan would save the Town $5,671.00, changing to the alternative prescription the savings would be $5,612.00. Employee contribution figured at 5% for the current plan would save the Town $9,452.00, changing to the alternative prescription the savings would be $9,353.00. The cost to the employee for a 3% contribution for a family plan would be $40.51 per month, 2 person plan would pay $30.01 per month and single would pay $15.00 per month. The cost to the employee for a 5% contribution for a family plan would be $67.52 per month, 2 person would pay $50.01 per month and single would pay $25.00 per month. Selectman Cook explained that in order to stay within the 3% growth of the budget, if you subtract the increase in health benefits ($7,373.00) from $30,447.00 you have a remainder of $23,075.00 for wage increases. Chairman Eigabroadt recommends increasing the wage line by 3% and presenting the health benefits with the 7.2% increase. Chairman Eigabroadt does not recommend combining wages and benefits in the 3% cap. Martha Mical commented that there are a number of employees that do not qualify for health benefits. When you give a cost of living increase those who are eligible for benefits actually receive a larger percentage than those who do not qualify for benefits. Judith Rogers commented that during the Wage Study, Allan McCausland and a Town Administrator from New Durham both confirmed that you should not combine wages and benefits. Selectman Cook recommends controlling the total cost of salary and benefits by 3%. Chairman Eigabroadt recommends addressing wages and benefits separately. Wendy Pinkham commented that the employees pay for dental insurance saving the Town $19,960.68 a year. Marianne Howlett asked what health benefits were offered to the newly hired Town Administrator. Chairman Eigabroadt said that health benefits are negotiable and they are entitled to what is currently offered. Selectman Hartman recommended keeping the TA salary separated from the current wages in regards to the pay increases. Chairman Eigabroadt made a motion to keep health benefits as presented in the budget to the Budget Committee (no changes at this time). Motion failed. Selectman Cook made a motion that the total cost of salaries, wages and benefits not increase by more than 3%. Motion failed. Selectman Hartman made the motion to have a total salary and benefit package, the total package of salary and benefit that affects those who receive benefits and those who do not, not to exceed 4.5%. Motion failed. Selectman Cook made the motion to increase the amount available for salary and benefits in 2006 by 3.5%. Selectman Hartman seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Martha Mical asked when the employees would know the results of the wage distribution. The Selectmen explained that results would be another couple of weeks. Motion to adjourn 7:35 p.m.
Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman
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