Health Insurance Contract: Response
Regarding the response to our Health Insurance Contract FOIA Request:
8/22/18:
We sent a FOIA request to Faulkner County Judge Jim Baker, asking for information about the process for awarding the annual health insurance contract for county employees.
08/30/2018:
FCR Follow-up Request to Faulkner County: “Regarding my FOIA requests dated August 22, 2018, when can I expect to receive a response?”
08/31/2018:
Responding to all our FOIA requests FCR submitted on 8/22/18, County Attorney David Hogue sent an email with 2 attachments:
♦ Letter responding to 8-22-18 FOI
♦ Salary Survey workbook.docx
(Editor’s note: The salary survey workbook pertains to our Jobs & Salaries FOIA Request.)
One section of the county’s Letter responding to 8-22-18 FOI pertains to our Health Insurance Contract FOIA Request:
• The process by which Faulkner County contracted for employee health, dental, and vision insurance as included in the 2018 budget.
o The initial process to acquire the current plan was executed by Judge Scroggin and County Administrator Jeff Johnston. For the 2018 budget year the arrangement was simply renewed.
• If no competitive bids were taken, please provide the date of the Faulkner County Quorum Court meeting where the vote was made to waive competitive bids; include the authorizing vote tally broken out by JP.
o The Faulkner County Quorum Court did not vote to waive competitive bids. Bids for insurance and especially renewal of same, are exempt under A.C.A. 14-22-106(18) and (19).
Editor’s note:
“Arkansas Code § 14-22-106 – Purchases Exempted From Soliciting Bids
The following listed commodities may be purchased without soliciting bids:
….
(18) Renewal or an extension of the term of an existing contract;
(19) Purchase of insurance for county employees, including without limitation health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, life insurance, risk management services, or dental insurance;…”
09/04/18:
After learning that no competitive bids are required by law, we verbally requested (from the County Attorney) a copy of the contract for county employee’s health insurance for the 2018 budget year.
09/10/18:
County Attorney David Hogue provided ERISA reporting information that Aetna provided to Faulkner County for the fiscal plan year 1/1/17 through 12/31/17. This document, which was filed with the County Clerk on July 6, 2018, includes not only the health insurance contract but other details, including financial information, pertaining to that contract.
