Wellmark reports no county health‑care rate increase; commissioners approve legal intern hire and Avera settlements

Chelsie Jansen, representing Wellmark, met with Union County commissioners and informed them that there would be no increase in employee health care rates for the county for the coming plan period, according to the meeting minutes.

Later in the session the board entered executive session at the request of States Attorney Zenner for personnel and legal matters. After the legal executive session, the board approved hiring a States Attorney legal intern, by motion from Ballard and seconded by Dailey.

States Attorney Zenner also presented two pending claims with Avera Health and recommended the board accept negotiated, reduced settlement amounts; the minutes record that the board approved Zenner's recommendation and that Attorney Robert Nelson will present the claims on Avera's behalf.

The actions were taken as part of routine personnel and legal administration during the March 17 meeting. The minutes do not specify the negotiated settlement amounts or the intern's start date beyond the actions recorded.

The board conducted additional executive sessions later in the day for personnel and adjourned at 1:00 p.m.