County Commission Rejects Proposal to Fund Insurance for Retired Juvenile Detention Director

The Saline County Commission expressed unanimous opposition Tuesday to a proposal that would provide continued health insurance coverage for the retiring director of the Northwest Kansas Juvenile Detention facility.

Commissioner Annie Grevas informed fellow commissioners that Shawn Brandmahl, who plans to retire in July, has requested that the juvenile detention board approve continued insurance coverage for himself and his wife at the same rate he currently receives - with him paying 25 percent of the premium and the facility covering 75 percent until he turns 65.

"I've never heard of that," Grevas said during the commission meeting. "I'm against it. I wouldn't support it."

Grevas, who serves on the Northwest Kansas Juvenile Detention Board, said she had consulted County Counselor Montoya about the request.

She reported that while counties are responsible for offering insurance options like COBRA to departing employees, they typically don't continue paying premiums after retirement.

"It's not something that we do for a county employee," noted one commissioner, with County Administrator Philip Smith-Haines confirming this assessment.

All commissioners voiced opposition to the proposal, expressing concern about setting a precedent and burdening taxpayers.

"I'm not for it. It's not something that we should burden our taxpayers or the other taxpayers across the state with paying for an employee that's retired," one commissioner stated.

The juvenile detention board is scheduled to discuss the matter at its meeting tomorrow.

Grevas indicated she would inform the board of Saline County's position against the proposal and inquire about how to ensure county taxpayer dollars aren't used for this purpose if other board members approve it.

The Northwest Kansas Juvenile Detention Board includes representatives from multiple counties in the region.