JACKSON WILL SEEK BIDS FOR HEALTH CARE

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson has decided to take bids for its employee health insurance after being informed of a 30-35 percent increase in premiums by its carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield.

"In my opinion, this is an outrageously high increase," City Administrator Steve Wilson told the Board of Aldermen Monday night. Wilson said the increases were coming in the wake of one of the city's best years in terms of health-care usage.

He said the city will receive bids until Feb. 13, with coverage to begin March 1. That is the date the Blue Cross Blue Shield increases were to take effect.

Blue Cross Blue Shield might submit its own readjusted bid, he said, but "We're goin' fishin'."

Mayor Paul Sander reassured city employees that Jackson won't seek to keep premiums low through reducing benefits. "We are not looking to cut our benefits," Sander said.

He said the city has one of the best health benefits packages of any municipality in the region.

Jackson currently pays $142 per individual and $379 per family into the health-care plan per month. Employees do not contribute money to the plan.

In other business, the board:

-- Set a special joint council meeting with the Cape Girardeau City Council for 7 p.m. Jan. 26, at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

-- Amended its agreement with Southwestern Power Administration, a procedural change affecting the company's fiscal year.

-- Authorized payment of $8,252.78 to Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission for work on the city's comprehensive plan update. The update is due to be completed in the spring.

JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN

City Hall

7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 1998

NEEDS BULLETS

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Set a special joint council meeting with the Cape Girardeau City Council for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

-- Approved a motion authorizing advertisement for bids for employee health insurance.

-- Approved a quarterly payment of $5,500 to the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association for services provided.

-- Approved a payment of $8,252.78 to Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission relative to the city's comprehensive plan update contract.

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign depository agreements with Union Planters Bank, NationsBank and People's Bank.

Street Committee

-- Approved payment of $1,382 to Appleton Valley Farm, Inc., as per contractual agreement on East Main Street project.