MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– On July 1st, groups could face huge pension cost increases. LEX 18’s Conroy Delouche talked to one Central Kentucky Health Director about what they’re anticipating, whether there is a special session or not.
Nancy Crewe, the Public Health Director at the Madison County Health Department said they’ve set their budget or the next fiscal year, with the anticipation of the contribution rate increase from just under 50% to more than 83%.
“I would say it is tens of thousands of dollars based on the total budget,” said Crewe.
She said Madison County will be okay and will continue appropriate use of Health Department and Home Health Services.
“We’re taking it one year at a time. We take a long view. We are very good planners. We’re fortunate here to have a growing tax base,” she said.
For rural counties with declining tax bases, the situation is more dire. One Eastern Kentucky health official told LEX 18 that they’re already operating at bare bones and another hit would be devastating.
Crewe is hoping that a special session would provide a one year freeze at that under 50% rate.
“And we would like a plan for long-term sustainability for MCHD and all the quasis,” she said.
She emphasized that the quasi agencies did not cause this pension crisis.
