Thursday, July 17, 2025

Bates County Commission discusses insurance coverage

July 7, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commissioners were in and out of the office most the day. They also dealt with phone calls on roads. John worked on getting the 2 citizens to sit on Board Of Equalization that is coming up on July 21st and 22nd. The last day to set an appointment for a BOE hearing is the 14th.

July 9, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Northern Commissioner John Gray was on vacation.
Charles Rush with Cook Insurance came in for his scheduled meeting. He rebuts points the other Insurance Competitor had brought up. Every insurance company will do their own risk assessment for Property and Casualty Insurance. He feels as a broker they have no business helping or ensuring how a Policy Handbook is written. He further points out that they cannot claim that as a bigger company they can provide a better rate as they all get their insurance from the same companies. It’s against the law. A quote from the same company would be the same to either broker to the penny. The only difference between the 2 companies is the service they can provide. Trent stated, “100 yards away is better than 100 miles away”. Charles replied, “We’d like to think that”. He also stated that he feels they can improve the service they do provide. He would like to increase communications with the employees and with HR. Check into the health coverages on preventative and wellness, not just focusing on price. Charles stated that there is a software program he is looking into that will help in the process of Health Insurance. He is expecting a bigger percentage rise in insurance this year over the last few and would like to get started in looking for renewals. Jim stated he wants to have all the elected officials in on health coverage this time. Jim also stated that some of the concerns over charges with Bates County Memorial need to be addressed with the CEO and Director. He referred to an email that John received on how the Hospital does not have Critical Care status therefore the cost of transportation is given to the patient and not picked up by the government. Cass Regional and Elliot Hospital have this status. Jim passed that information on to Mark Alford’s office to see if anything can be done about it. Jim stated he personally does not use the insurance coverage by the county as he has other health insurance coverage, however he still is aware of what is going on with the employees and the county. Charles ended up with how he would love to continue to work with the county and will make every effort to improve in any aspect necessary.
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. To date 10 people have signed and one resident is declaring he will not sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024.
4. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley).
5. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25.

July 14, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commission received interest in the Insurance Broker request from Cooks Insurance, Diehls Farmers Insurance and Higginbotham. Higginbotham had come in on several occasions. They have several Counties and can provide many useful tools in obtaining and driving cost of insurance down. Charles Rush with Cooks is the current broker. Charles came in to discuss the needs and current standings. He recognizes that he can improve communication and work on better health coverage not just keeping price low.  Heather Diehl offered only handing the Health Insurance portion.  
John made the motion to keep the insurance broker with Cooks Insurance. Settling on keeping the money local with who in turn supports the local community. Trent seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
July 16, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Missy Lancaster came in at her scheduled appointment time to discuss vacated seats on the in the Health Center Board.
Valerie Craft left needing someone appointed till 2027. Calee McElwain left leaving a recently won election, leaving a vacant spot for someone to be appointed for 4 years. They have nominees that have agreed to the appointments, Mica Clifton and Kori Page. Jim states he would like their contact information so the Commission can call and talk to them on their intent. Missy let them know there is an upcoming meeting on the 22nd that she would like them to attend the board training on the 23rd. Jim asked how things were going. Missy spoke on how they were working on getting a handicap door installed but having a hard time getting companies to bid it. Missy also stated that she was currently working on writing a grant to get a mobile vaccination unit. 
Trent made the motion to accept Mica Clifton to the Health Center Board. John seconded. All vote yes. Motion carried not opposition. 
John made the motion to accept Kori Page to the Health Center Board. Trent seconded. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition. 
Work in progress 
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. To date 10 people have signed and one resident is declaring he will not sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024.
4. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley).
5. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25.

July 21, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Northern Commissioner John Gray was absent.
Kacie Robey spoke to the Commission regarding an invoice she received from Governmentor for $9200.  This invoice is for phase 2 of the software upgrade to implement SB 190.  Kacie did not know about this upgrade.  Jimmy Platt told her that the County should pay this bill since his office paid for the first upgrade.  She is going to get clarification from Governmentor on the upgrade and will return once she gets that clarification.  Trent said this was an unexpected expense and was not budgeted for.  He asked if the use tax money could pay for it.  Jami Page stated that the use tax money was already being used for the upgrades to the network equipment and the phone system.  There was not going to be any use tax money left after those upgrades.  Jim said the only thing they could use was Tribal money.  But that was dwindling. 
A couple hours later Kacie came back in after talking to Gene with Governmentor.  There will be two different charges with $8000 for upgrading the software to 8.2 and $1200 to implement the upgrade which should take 8 hours.  This upgrade should work for SB3 if it goes into effect.  Gene also understood that the County would be paying for the upgrade.  Jim looked at budget reports.  There is $30694 left of the tribal money.  
Trent made the motion to pay $1200 from the other county government budget.  Jim seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  All in favor.  Motion passed.
 Trent made the motion to pay $8000 from the tribal money.  Jim seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  All in favor.  Motion passed.
The BOE board and the Commission heard folks with complaints on their real property Evaluations.





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