In addition to discussing the unkempt pool on Shivers Street, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen voted to accept the medical and dental proposals presented last Friday by Gray Montogomery, an employee benefits broker with AcuityGroup in Hattiesburg.
According to previous coverage by the Item, the city’s current healthcare plan with United Healthcare is managed through Clayton E. Johnson Services Inc. in Laurel. The current bill is $14,439 per month to insure the city’s 27 employees. The dental bill runs the city about $27 per month per employee.
Poplarville City Clerk Jane O’Neal said the Board voted unanimously on the plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, O’Neal said. The plan features a $750 deductible, $3,000 out-of-pocket costs, primary physician co-pay of $25, specialist co-pay of $40 and a four-tiered prescription plan with a $10, $25, $50 and $100 co-pay. The total cost per employee will be $536.01 per month.
During last week’s budget workshop, Montgomery told the Board the rates were based on a tobacco-free workplace, which means employees cannot smoke while on the clock.
The Aldermen also approved the dental plan Montgomery presented from AlwaysCare, with a monthly premium of $26 per employee, O’Neal said.
The Board did not make a decision on life insurance yet, she added.

In other action:
• The Board approved a fee of $2,200 from Greer Law Firm Title Insurance, O’Neal said. This fee pertained to a certificate of title search for the 500 block of South Main Street, O’Neal said.
The city purchased the property in March of this year utilizing a Small Municipalities and Limited Populations Counties Grant through the Mississippi Development Authority, previous coverage states.
Tuesday, the Board approved paying a $5,000 invoice from the South Mississippi Planning and Development District, which covers the costs of the administration fee as it relates to the grant, O’Neal said. The Board also approved a motion to allow SMPDD to write Phase II of the grant, which will cover development of the property. The city plans to construct a park, green space and parking spaces on the property, O’Neal said.
• The Board also met with department heads to discuss their upcoming respective budgets in the 2017 fiscal year. The Board will discuss these budgetary matters during their budget workshop this Friday at 8 a.m. in the boardroom at City Hall, O’Neal said.
The next Aldermen meeting will be held on July 19 at 5 p.m. in the boardroom at City Hall.