The Madison County Commission met Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. For the first item of business, Robin Riley with Brown & Brown presented the board with insurance and employee benefit updates. Riley informed the board that this is a huge year for the Affordable Care Act and announced that employees and employers will be receiving payroll stuffers containing new forms. Heather Cannon presented a brief presentation on a free service to employees called Connect Care 3, which offers employee services to guide them through the healthcare process that is completely voluntary and confidential. Employees, if they choose to use the service, will work alongside an advocate and nurse navigator to take care of any health issues that may come up while employed. The nurse navigator researches the health problem and finds employees the best treatment options and facilities for that specific issue while giving them support when dealing with doctors and prepping for appointments. Dan Fenneman took to the podium after the presentation and requested that the board consider closing the Madison County Extension Office from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, as that time is usually a slow time for the office. “It would be good for the employees,” said Fenneman.
The board approved this request unanimously. The board approved the interlocal agreement with the city of Madison for temporary building official services with Lafayette County and the NFDEP staffing grant. Lastly, the board went over the public works department report. Sirmans Rd. needs to be paved, so the board anticipates its completion while Wonderwood is being finished off. By piggybacking off of the leftover funds from Wonderwood, the paving for Sirmans can be complete. The sinkhole in Celosia Drive is reportedly going to be filled in and left for five to six months. To conclude the meeting, Clerk of Court Tim Sanders announced that Senator Mumford wants to present a resolution honoring Lorenzo Cain for Madison County at the legislative session in January and include Cain's family at the session. The Senate did something similar for FSU catcher Buster Posey after the San Francisco Giants won the World Series. Sanders built off that and contacted Mumford. The board members discussed the possibility of including Cain in next year's Down Home Days as well. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m.