WATERLOO -- Black Hawk County is ending its longtime relationship with a Colorado-based health insurance consultant.

Members of the county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday against renewing their contract with Gallagher Benefit Services Inc. for consulting services on the county's employee benefit program.

The firm, which has provided consulting services to the county for employee health insurance matters since 1995, had proposed a two-year contract renewal at $24,070 a year when the current pact expires June 30.

But board members said the change had nothing to do with Gallagher Benefit Services' performance.

"I would like to see this service provided through our Human Resources Department," said Supervisors Frank Magsamen.

Board members voted in July 2007 to upgrade a human resources technician post to a human resources manager, which carries a higher salary and more responsibilities. That decision, Magsamen said, was driven by the notion the consulting services would be brought in house.

Board members are expected to vote next week on a resolution to have the Human Resources Department pick up the consultant's duties.

Human Resources Director June Watkins said her department will need to gear up for the transition.

"We haven't investigated yet what the cost is going to be for some of the resources we may need to subscribe to," she said.

In other business, board members unanimously approved:

n A resolution making nonbargaining county employees pick up a greater share of their health insurance costs in the fiscal year starting July 1.

The monthly contribution for single health insurance coverage would go from $50 to $60, while family premium contributions would stay at $150. Employees would see their cost for a doctor's office visit go from $20 to $25; their co-insurance would go from 15 percent to 20 percent of the medical bills.

Watkins said the changes are designed to keep the nonbargaining employees' benefit levels in line with those being negotiated and approved in contracts with the labor unions representing county workers.

n A $39,934 contract with Paul G. Christensen Construction Co. of Cedar Falls to repair the roof at the Pinecrest Office Building.

Contact Tim Jamison

at (319) 291-1577 or

tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.