In April, the Plymouth County Commissioners, by a 2-1 vote, opted to discontinue the county's funding for the health insurance of sheriff's department retirees who have retired since January 1, 1992. Until this year, the county itself had funded the government's share of the health insurance premium, which is estimated at $948,000 for FY'06.

County officials feel that when the state took over funding for county correctional facilities in 1992, it should have also taken on the cost for retiree health insurance. With a $1.7 million deficit projected for FY'06, the county began to heavily scrutinize its expenditures.

In refusing to further fund the insurance, county officials are placing the burden on the sheriff's department to come up with the needed revenue. Already facing a $4.4 million deficit for the coming fiscal year, newly elected Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald is fighting back.

McDonald believes the county is legally bound to fund the retiree health insurance, until such time as the state assumes the appropriation itself. The sheriff has asked the Plymouth County Advisory Board, which has oversight authority over the county budget, to reject the Commissioners' proposal.
To help bolster his case, McDonald sent a letter to the affected retirees, notifying them of the disagreement. In his letter, the sheriff urged retirees to contact the Advisory Board seeking support for continued funding.

McDonald has also enlisted the Plymouth County legislative delegation to help him address the department's large deficit, as well as the health insurance issue. In the meantime, retirees are caught in the crossfire.

"While this whole situation has created a lot of stress for the sheriff's retirees, the important thing to remember is that the insurance cannot be taken away. State law under Chapter 32B requires that the employer must cover at least 50% of the insurance premium," explains Association General Counsel Bill Rehrey. "Whether the funding comes from the county or the sheriff's department, someone is required to pay the employers share.

"However, the disagreement has placed our members in a crossfire between the commissioners and the sheriff. Our hope is that, with the help of the Legislative delegation, a solution can be worked out that will ease the fears of retirees."

Michelle Coghlan worked in the computer department at the Plymouth County House of Correction. As a retiree, she received the letter from Sheriff McDonald. "When I read that letter it felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me...it put me right over the edge. I have the BC/BS Master Medical plan. It's a great plan and universally recognized wherever I go," said Coghlan.