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County employee insurance increases proposed

RACINE COUNTY — For the first time since becoming Racine County Executive four years ago, Jonathan Delagrave is proposing health care cost increases in his upcoming 2020 budget.

Delagrave aims to raise deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for county employees and employees with family plans.

Delagrave added the increases are necessary to avoid “substantial employee layoffs” and under the proposed 2020 budget, which is yet to be presented to the full County Board, “we were able to keep layoffs minimal.”

He did not elaborate on what departments would be affected.

Currently, individual employees have a $400 annual deductible for in-network doctors but under the new health plan that number goes up to $1,000; while employees on the family plan currently have a deductible of $800, which is proposed to go up to $2,000.

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The out-of-pocket costs are also planning to go up but not as much as the deductible.

Currently, individual employees have a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cost in-network and the proposal is asking to increase the costs to $2,500. For employees on the family plan, the current annual out-of-pocket cost is $4,000 and under the new proposal that would rise to $5,000.

Budget presentation

The cost increases are set to be part of the 2020 proposed budget which Delagrave is scheduled to present to the County Board on Tuesday.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Ives Grove Office Complex, 14200 Washington Ave., Yorkville.

Delagrave presented the proposed increases to the County Finance and Human Resources Committee on Wednesday and stated the amount taken out of an employee’s paycheck amounts to roughly $8 per paycheck for individuals and $23 per paycheck for employees with a family plan.

“That’s not insignificant money,” Delagrave said to committee members. “I certainly am not downplaying that increase.”

Although this is the first time Delagrave has proposed employee health changes in the time that he has been county executive, it’s possible the health care costs could increase again next year.

“There’s not a promise that we won’t be back next year, we hope that we won’t,” Delagrave said. “I don’t want to overpromise and underdeliver.”

For the county, health care currently costs the taxpayers roughly $11,500 annually per active employee. Delagrave said those costs have risen $2,000 to about $13,500.

Delagrave said the initial increase was more; however, there were some changes made in the budget and the county plans on using health care reserve funds to keep the increase minimal.

Wellness center

Delagrave is advocating that employees use the Racine Employee Health and Wellness Center, saying it could save the county costs because it offers free preventative and non-preventative visits, labs and tests, and free medications for the top 50 prescriptions.

“The more we use (the clinic) we don’t generate claims back to our insurance company and that is how we can keep our costs level,” Delagrave said. “The claims that are generated are no fault of anybody … I’m not conveying (county employees) shouldn’t have gotten into that car accident, I’m not conveying that their kids shouldn’t have gotten sick, we have health insurance for employee wellness.”

One bright spot in the changes to employee benefits is dental care.

Racine County officials are proposing to switch to a premium dental care plan with Anthem, with enhancements to benefits including implants, not paying for lab fees and a “robust network.”

County Board Supervisor John Wisch of Caledonia said Delagrave has worked to keep health care costs low since taking office.

“I don’t make compliments very often, but seeing what goes on in the private sector on a daily basis, I think he’s done everything on behalf of the county and its constituents,” Wisch said. “Seeing what’s going on out there in real life outside of the county or government life, it’s not easy for anybody.”

City health care

The City of Racine also recently passed increases to employee health care contributions.

Under the 2019 plan, employees could choose between a couple different health plans.

For a 10% employee contribution plan, in-network deductibles were $400 for an individual or $800 for a family. Under that plan, the individual premium was $74.50 and the family plan was $196 per month.

With the 5% employee contribution plan, the deductible was $2,000 for the individual plan or $4,000 for the family plan. Under that plan, the individual premium was $35.59 per month and the family premium was $93.95.

The 2020 plan the City Council approved last week has only be one plan instead of two options. Employee contribution will be set at 7.5%, which is about $55 a month for an individual and $145 a month for a family. The in-network deductible will be set at $3,000 for the individual and $6,000 for the family plan. The maximum out-of-pocket costs will be $4,000 for an individual and $8,000 for a family.

UPDATED: Bird's-eye view photos of Foxconn as it develops, as of March 2020

Bird's-eye view photos of Foxconn

Racine-area certified financial planner Michael Haubrich has taken Journal Times reporter Michael Burke on several flights for the purpose of taking documentary photos of Foxconn Technology Group's developing campus in Mount Pleasant.

Foxconn High Performance Computing Data Center

Foxconn Technology Group's future globe-shape High Performance Computing Data Center at the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park, is shown on March 15.

Foxconn HPCDC

Construction is underway on Foxconn Technology Group's future globe-shape High Performance Computing Data Center at the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant, as seen from this aerial shot on March 15.

Foxconn, Feb. 3

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Feb. 3, 2020, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's light-sport airplane. This photo shows the base of the future spherical High Performance Computing Data Center under construction.

Foxconn Feb. 3

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Feb. 3, 2020, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's light-sport airplane. This photo shows the future Smart Manufacturing Center under construction, center. In the foreground is a private electrical substation. In the background is the fully enclosed future LCD fabrication plant.

Foxconn Feb. 3

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Feb. 3, 2020, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's light-sport airplane. This photo shows the future Smart Manufacturing Center under construction.

Foxconn Feb. 3

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Feb. 3, 2020, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's light-sport airplane. This photo shows the base of the future spherical High Performance Computing Data Center under construction.

Foxconn, Dec. 15, 2019

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Dec. 15, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. The roof is now fully covering the future advanced-manufacturing plant.

Foxconn aerial 12/15

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Dec. 15, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. The roof is now fully covering the large future advanced-manufacturing plant.

Foxconn aerial 12/15

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Dec. 15, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. The roof is now fully covering the future advanced-manufacturing plant, and workers have begun to prepare building pads just east of that building for the next two structures.

Foxconn "fab" Oct. 18

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Oct. 18, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future advanced-manufacturing plant. At that point in time, builders were installing the roof.

Foxconn aerial, "fab" Oct. 18

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Oct. 18, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future advanced-manufacturing plant. At this point in time, the builders were installing the roof.

Foxconn aerial Oct. 18

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Oct. 18, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future advanced-manufacturing plant. At this point in time, the builders were installing the roof.

Foxconn aerials, Oct. 18

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Oct. 18, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future advanced-manufacturing plant. At this point in time, the builders were installing the roof.

Foxconn aerials, Sept. 20, 2019

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab."

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the multipurpose building.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab," at left in background and multipurpose building at right in background.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab," at left and multipurpose building in background.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab," at left and multipurpose building at right in background.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab," in the foreground and multipurpose building in background.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the new power plant at left and two large new retention ponds.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the new power substation.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab."

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the new power substation just east of the Foxconn campus.

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab."

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Oct. 18, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Shown here is the future thin-film-transistor fabrication plant, or "fab."

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. 

Foxconn aerials

Part of the Foxconn site is shown on Sept. 20, 2019, as seen from the cockpit of Racine certified financial planner Michael Haubrich's Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane. Journal Times reporter Michael Burke was Haubrich's passenger for the purpose of taking documentary photos of the developing site. Part of the Foxconn campus can be seen in the background; in the foreground is Sylvania Airport.

Mike Haubrich with plane

Racine-area certified financial planner Michael Haubrich is shown here on Sept. 20, 2019, with his Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane just before taking Journal Times reporter Michael Burke on a flight to document Racine County from above.

Delagrave

Wisch

“There’s not a promise that we won’t be back next year, we hope that we won’t.”

Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, on health care cost increases

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