COLUMBUS– If Polk County Commissioners choose, they can now receive county health insurance.

The majority of commissioners approved allowing board members to receive the county health insurance plan like other county employees.

Commissioners Michael Gage, Ray Gasperson, Keith Holbert and Ted Owens voted in favor of commissioners receiving health insurance during the county’s Nov. 7 meeting, while commissioner Shane Bradley voted against.

Commissioner chair Gage put the item on the agenda saying health insurance is an expensive issue. He said he had wanted commissioners to see a pay raise because they “haven’t had one in forever,” and if he couldn’t get a pay raise he’d like to see them get on the health insurance plan beginning the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Gage, Holbert and Owens will go off the board after newly elected commissioners are sworn into office in December.

Gasperson said no commissioner does the job for the money. The base pay for commissioners is $6,100 per year, which Gasperson said kind of reimburses what commissioners do. Gasperson also said state legislators are terribly underpaid as well, but they do participate in the state employee health program if they wish.

Polk commissioners have in the past allowed commissioners to participate in the county health insurance plan. Gasperson said about 10-12 years ago some did participate in the health plan. He said the action was never rescinded but never talked about either.

Owens said he’s fine with the action. He said it will be one of those benefits a commissioner has a choice and can take it or not.

Bradley said when he first decided to run for commissioner he didn’t know it was a paid job. He said he would prefer that money go towards county employees.

It costs the county approximately $481 per month per employee for health insurance. The county pays for its employees but also offers plans for other insurance and for family coverage but the employees pays for those benefits.