The most significant discussion at the Carmi Township meeting Tuesday night centered on road employee health insurance benefits.
During the annual Township audit, an issue arose when it was revealed that a road department employee’s spouse had been included on the dental plan without proper authorization.
Supervisor Pam Deig explained that the current policy, which includes dental, vision, and health benefits, was discussed and approved at the September 2024 special meeting.
“What the board agreed was that the board would approve for to pay up to $500 for a policy for employees, employees only, not elected officials. If it went over 500, then the employee would have to have that taken out of their paycheck. They had to be here for 90 days with continued employment. It did not include spouses or children. We had been paying those premiums, and we were unaware of it.”
Road Commissioner Chris McEwing asked to change the policy to include spouses. Deig agreed to re-evaluate the policy at a later date.
In addition to the insurance discussion, another highlight came during public comments from Chula Fleming, who ran for a seat on the Township board to fill the vacancy left by Mike Baxley, who nominated her.
Fleming shared her feelings on the outcome of comments made at previous board meetings and how she felt she was overlooked.
“I was fully informed all the way through the process, and I did my part. I stood up, I talked to everyone, and I said I am a Republican in all shapes, ways, forms, and colors. I gave you my resume with my qualifications, so my question is, it appeared to me that no one really looked at that. Nobody picked it up and gave me the time of day.”
Fleming went on to ask one final question that questions how much board members really pay attention to future candidates, any board, for that matter.
“She (Pam) said that the GOP leadership did their due diligence. They did their due diligence in checking out Cheyenne Long. We found that she had never, whatever that we could find, voted Republican. So my question to the board is, why didn’t you all do your due diligence? Why didn’t you all know she wasn’t really a valuable candidate?”Trustee Brad Chapman: “I don’t think we’ve ever had access to that information. I mean, they could have, I guess.”Fleming: “You were expecting to vote. When your vote should have been fully informed. That’s my point.”
There were no other comments made, and no answers to Fleming’s questions.
Following public comments, Deig moved on to the General and Emergency Assistance reports. There were 12 sign-ins in February, totaling $2,330.02 dispursed.
One item on the agenda was tabled for further discussion: the Town and Road Employee Handbook.
Lastly, the Annual Township meeting will be on April 14 at 6 pm, with the monthly meeting beginning right after.