all material on this blog is directed to members of the general public and is not intended to be read by my fellow Committee members, nor do I intend for any readers to convey such material directly or indirectly to my fellow Committee members.

Just for clarity sake and correct information, The Town of Templeton and the Narragansett School district are two legal separate entities. Different labor contracts, separate retirement, separate health insurance costs. At Town meeting, the people either have to vote the whole school district budget as presented or reject it entirely, and the saw the process back in 2013 if both towns do not accept the budget that is present by the school committee.

So, if the Town of Templeton were to adjust the split for Templeton Town employees health insurance, that would not affect the school district employees.

Looking at the budget/expense plan present to Town meeting on May 14, 2016 by the board of selectmen, it shows Group insurance (health insurance) as:

Fiscal year 2014 - $   782,950.00
Fiscal Year 2015 - $   979,497.00
Fiscal Year 2016 - $1,056,012.00
Fiscal Year 2017 - $1,124,976.00
 And with Fiscal Year 2018 just voted on and comments from the interim town administrator:
"It is pretty tough to survive when one-half of your budget is totally uncontrollable - education/Monty Tech & NRHS, and consuming almost all of your new revenues while 12%  +/- of the remainder of your budget trends at 7% +/- per year increases. I believe if one checks, that would be health insurance costs to taxpayers. Move all employees to 35% contribution rates."

I only suggest the Town may have to consider percentage changes and may eventually have to move all employees to 50% contribution rates. When revenue is dictated at 2 1/2% and things such as health insurance rises at 7% increases per year, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to see that some thing (s) have to give. This is a financial consideration that selectmen will have to deal with. Transfers during the year to pay for group health insurance as well as leaving a position open (fire chief) and state thru a T/A report that such action may allow health insurance costs to even out to possibly make it through the fiscal year without further financial transfers demonstrates that something (s) must change. It is a financial reality that should be looked at and considered, in my opinion. If ya want free boots, free tee shirts and free coats, the money has to come from somewhere.

from the Massachusetts Municipal Association:

Governor signs final FY18 state budget after vetoes

July 18, 2017

The governor sent back to the Legislature important sections related to the state’s MassHealth program, including the $200 million assessment on businesses that was included in the budget’s revenue plan. The governor supported the plan, but asked the Legislature to couple it with reforms to the program to give it long-term sustainability. The governor asked the Legislature to act on his reform and revenue plan within the next 60 days in order to avoid a $350 million budget shortfall.

Business' may have to pay more so the state's health insurance program can be sustainable, so it seems to make sense to have employees pay more so they can have insurance. I believe if you check the law, the town has to pay 50% and anything else is from the heart, the taxpayers heart and wallet.

Disclaimer

Opinions expressed are those of Jeff Bennett and do not represent any other member of the Advisory Committee 

posted by Jeff Bennett