Human Resources: retiree Medicare plan renewed with modest increase; county to add outside employment‑law counsel and post IT director position

Jessica Warren, human resources, briefed the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners (date not specified) on three HR items: renewal of a grandfathered retiree Medicare plan for law‑enforcement retirees, procurement of additional employment-law counsel, and a staffing request following an executive session.

Warren said the county’s left‑1 (LEHI‑1) law‑enforcement retiree Medicare plan — a closed, grandfathered plan — will be renewed at a 5.42% increase, which she said equates to roughly $25 more per member per month. Warren did not have the exact current membership count but estimated the plan has decreased and suggested about 13 members remain. "The increase was 5.42%, which isn't too bad. So it's increased about $25 per member per month," Warren said.

On employment-law support, Warren asked to engage an outside counsel (previously used through the risk pool) for specialized employment-law matters; she said the attorney charges approximately $275 per hour and that the county pays hourly only when services are needed.

After an executive session on a personnel matter, Warren asked the board to post an IT director position; commissioners approved posting the position. The action followed the closed‑door discussion and commissioners’ verbal approval in open session.

Why it matters: the retiree‑plan renewal and external counsel decisions affect ongoing personnel costs; the IT‑director posting signals a forthcoming leadership search in the IT function.

Next steps: HR will finalize the retiree plan renewal on the consent agenda, retain outside employment counsel as needed, and post the IT‑director job per the board’s authorization.