The Overton County Commission voted to provide air evacuation coverage for full-time county employees.
County Executive Steven Barlow said the county will absorb the some $60 charge so each employee and their household will benefit.
“This is just an incentive for the family, because we do not pay the best in the world,” Barlow said. “To be able to do something small, but it means so much.”
Barlow said the county will spend about $6,000 for six months of coverage. Barlow said the plan would cover 100 percent of air lift fees which could save a family thousands of dollars.
Commissioner Patrick McCurdy asked if the money would be better used as raises for employees. Commission Chair Darwin Clark said $6,000 divided among some 200 employees would not be enough of a raise to make a difference.
“That wouldn’t even touch the raises Mr. McCurdy,” Clark said. “With 200 something employees, that is admirable, but I think this money would be better suited this way. It would help them a lot better.”
Barlow said the benefit will be a yearly item that commissioners will have to vote on as a part of the budget. Elected officials will also benefit from the coverage plan.
