Commissioners receive update from Ohio BWC

Erin Rosiello, southwest regional business development manager for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, met with the Highland County Board of Commissioners Wednesday, April 23.

Rosiello serves the following southwest Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Madison, Montgomery, Preble and Warren.

Rosiello updated commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer and Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley on proposed changes in Workers' Compensation as well as benefits to public-sector employers and private employers.

This week, the Ohio BWC staff proposed that the Board of Directors approve a 6.3-percent reduction to base rates beginning July 1. If approved, this cut would mark the eighth consecutive year in which private sector rates have either fallen or remained flat. Rates for public employers were also reduced beginning Jan. 1, and are now at their lowest level in at least 30 years.

"Last year, the Bureau gave back $1 billion to employers," Rosiello said. She said that good investments by the Bureau contributed to the rebates.

According to Gov. Kasich's office, more than 210,000 employers receive rebates from the excess Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation funds.

Rosiello also informed the county of BWC safety intervention grants (see: https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/programs/safety/empgrants.asp) and participation in cost-saving training programs.

In addition, she said the Bureau is planning to switch to a system of "upfront payments rather than six months in arrears."

The changes for private employers will be in 2015, she said, and the changes for public employers will be the following year.

Commissioners were also reminded of the Ohio BWC Destination: Excellence program, which is a collection of programs that can help improve workplace safety, enhance injured worker care and save money on Workers' Compensation costs.

According to the Bureau, since the program's introduction, nearly 5,000 employers have signed up for at least one of the safety or care programs of Destination: Excellence, potentially saving an estimated $20 million through incentives and lower claims costs.

Wilkin asked Rosiello about the differences in state-managed Workers' Comp systems and states that permit private workers’ compensation coverage.

Rosiello cited the annual Oregon Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary, which shows Ohio's Workers’ Compensation premium rate ranking at 28th nationally. (See: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/dir/wc_cost/files/report_summary.pdf.)

"When you compare Ohio to the rest of the states, it's really not that bad," Rosiello said.

For more information on the Ohio BWC, go to https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/.

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Auditor's real estate sale May 22

• In other action, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins announced that the 2014 auditor's sale of real estate will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Highland County Administration Building's basement conference room.

"The property will be offered for taxes owed and court costs," Collins said. "There are several properties around the county. We sell it as is, no warranty."

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Resolutions

Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:

• The purchase of a mower from Moon Tractor.

• A request from Probation for additional appropriation to Jail Diversion in the amount of $3,300.

• A request from Probation for additional appropriation to Writing Budget.

• A request from the Sheriff for additional appropriation to the Sheriff Budget in the amount of $886.50.

• Commissioners authorized the Highland County Sheriff to apply for and enter into an agreement to administer a DARE grant.

• Additional appropriations to the Commissioners Budget in the amount of $1,765.76.

• A request from the Prosecutor for additional appropriation to DETAC.