County considers insurance

BENTON - With the end of the year drawing near, Scott County officials are looking at whether they should renew their Blue Cross Blue Shield group health insurance plan or rebid for a new plan.

Blue Cross representative Jan Gluesing and insurance agent Dwayne Lorenz met with county commissioners during Thursday's meeting to discuss options for next year's plan.

County officials were advised the premium increase next year could range from 12.3 percent to 22 percent.

Rita Milam, county clerk, said because Lorenz was selected at random last year from among the several agents offering Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage to the county, he will remain the county's agent for that company. The county will either renew with Blue Cross Blue Shield through him as the agent or accept his bid in competition with other insurance companies.

In other Scott County news, Terry Herndon, county highway engineer, confirmed his department will be ready to receive pickup truck and passenger car tires without rims or debris at the Scott County Highway Department in Benton.

"We'll have a man out down there Saturday and next Saturday," said Herndon.

Tires will be received from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m.

The tire roundup, sponsored by Scott County and the Bootheel Solid Waste Management District, is being held to help county residents legally dispose of their old tires, according to commissioners. Tires will not be accepted from dealers or service stations.

Jim Schwaninger, economic developer for Scott County, updated commissioners Thursday on various economic development strategies he is currently looking in to.